Wilmington is one of the most populous cities in the United States that is part of New Hanover County in coastal southeastern North Carolina. The city features a humid subtropical climate.
The major economic activities in Wilmington are the clothing industry, food processing, paper products, nuclear fuel, pharmaceuticals, electronic industry, and much more. Among these, tourism is also a vital source of the economy due to the availability of the ocean and mesmerizing nightlife.
Talking about transportation facilities, there are airports, interstate highways, shuttle services, trolleys, and so on. In today’s article, we will find out all the airports in Wilmington NC along with their technical information, operating airlines, destinations, flight services, and much more.
So, without further delay, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Major Airports in Wilmington NC
There are three major airports in Wilmington NC which can be used to reach the city.
| AIRPORT NAME | DISTANCE FROM WILMINGTON | ESTIMATED DRIVING TIME |
| Wilmington International Airport | 6.4 miles | 14 minutes |
| Cape Fear Regional Jetport | 32.3 miles | 44 minutes |
| Albert J. Ellis Airport | 56.4 miles | 58 minutes |
| Myrtle Beach International Airport | 83.2 miles | 1 hour 37 minutes |
With that, let’s explore more about the airports in Wilmington NC.
Wilmington International Airport (Closest Airport in Wilmington NC)
Wilmington International Airport (ICAO: KILM, IATA: ILM, FAA LID: LIM) is one of the major airports in Wilmington NC serving Wilmington city in North Carolina. The airport resides at an elevation of 32 ft (10m) AMSL.
ILM is just 6.4 miles away from the main Wilmington City and the estimated driving time is simply 14 minutes.
ILM Runway and Terminal Information
Wilmington International Airport is equipped with two asphalt runways; Runway 6/24 and Runway 17/35.
| RUNWAY DESIGNATION | DIMENSION | SURFACE |
| 6/24 | 8,016 ft by 150 ft (8,016 m by 46 m) | Asphalt |
| 17/35 | 7,754 ft by 150 ft (2,363 m by 46 m) | Asphalt |
The airport features a single-passenger terminal with eight gates. All the facilities including the baggage claim area, baggage handling, check-in, security screening, food court, airline ticketing, and so on are available at the terminal section.
Furthermore, the airport management authority is constantly working to enhance the airport terminal and infrastructure.
Airlines and Destination
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and regional carriers including American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express operate flights to and from the Wilmington Int’l Airport to various cities in the United States.
| AIRLINES | DESTINATIONS |
| American Airlines | Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta |
| American Eagle | Washington DC, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, New York-LaGuardia, Charlotte Seasonal flights to Chicago-O’Hare and Boston |
| Delta Connection | New York-LaGuardia, Atlanta |
| United Express | Newark |
ILM Technical Information
| ICAO CODE | KILM |
| IATA CODE | ILM |
| FAA LID | ILM |
| ELEVATION | 32 ft (10m) AMSL |
| AREA | 1,800 acres (728 ha) |
| RUNWAY | 6/24 (8,016 ft by 150 ft) – Asphalt Surface 17/35 (7,754 ft by 150 ft) – Asphalt Surface |
Albert J. Ellis Airport
Albert J. Ellis Airport (ICAO: KOAJ, IATA: OAJ, FAA LID: OAJ) is also among the airports in Wilmington NC located in Onslow County, North Carolina. The airport situated at an elevation of 94 ft (29 m) serves the Jacksonville region in NC.
OAJ Runway and Terminal Information
The airport covers a total area of 775 acres and features one asphalt runway 5/23 with a dimension of 7,100 ft by 150 ft (2,164 m by 46 m).
Albert J. Ellis Airport is equipped with a new terminal building that offers passenger loading bridges, new concessions, additional space for new airlines, expanded passenger areas, and much more.
Airlines and Destinations
Regional Carriers including American Eagle, Delta Connection, and Xtra Airways operate flights to and from OAJ.
| AIRLINES | DESTINATIONS |
| American Eagle | Charlotte |
| Delta Connection | Atlanta |
| Xtra Airways | Charter flights to Atlantic City |
OAJ Technical Information
| ICAO CODE | KOAJ |
| IATA CODE | OAJ |
| FAA LID | OAJ |
| ELEVATION | 94 ft (29 m) AMSL |
| AREA | 775 acres (314 ha) |
| RUNWAY | 5/23 (7,100 ft by 150 ft) – Asphalt Surface |
Myrtle Beach International Airport
Myrtle Beach International Airport (ICAO: KMYR, IATA: MYR, FAA LID: MYR) is another closest international airport to Wilmington NC as it is located 83.2 miles away from the city. The airport is owned and operated by Horry County and serves the Myrtle Beach region in South Carolina.
The airport is situated at an elevation of 25 ft (8 m) AMSL and is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial aviation facility.
MYR Runway and Terminal Information
Myrtle Beach Int’l Airport is equipped with a single asphalt/concrete runway 18/36 with a dimension of 9,503 ft by 150 ft (2,897 m by 46 m).
Talking about the terminal facilities, the airport features a passenger terminal named ‘Dr. W.L. Harrelson Terminal Building’. This name is kept for Myrtle Beach’s first mayor Dr Wilford Leroy Harrelson.
Airlines and Destinations
The big airlines of the United States including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Porter Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines connect Myrtle Beach to various other domestic destinations.
| AIRLINES | DESTINATIONS |
| Allegiant Air | Albany, Allentown, Clarksburg, Cincinnati, Fort Wayne, Hagerstown, Huntington, Indianapolis, Lexington, Harrisburg/Hershey, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Knoxville, Newburgh/Stewart, Syracuse, Belleville, Columbus, Portsmouth |
| American Airlines | Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Washington DC |
| Avelo Airlines | New Haven |
| Delta Air Lines | Minneapolis-St. Paul, Boston, New York, Detroit, Atlanta |
| Frontier Airlines | Miami, Philadelphia, Islip/Long Island, Trenton, Denver, Providence, Portland, Buffalo |
| Porter Airlines | Toronto (Canada) |
| Southwest Airlines | Kansas City, Nashville, St. Louis, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh |
| Spirit Airlines | Atlantic City, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Charleston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Latrobe, Baltimore, Columbus, Orlando, Hartford, Kansas City, Akron-Canton, Manchester, Miami, Niagara Fallas, Rochester, Indianapolis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Houston, Louisville, St. Louis and Milwaukee |
| Sun Country Airlines | Minneapolis-St. Paul |
| United Airlines | Chicago, Milwaukee, Newark, Cleveland, St. Louis, Washington DC |
MYR Technical Information
| ICAO CODE | KMYR |
| IATA CODE | MYR |
| FAA LID | MYR |
| ELEVATION | 25 ft (8 m) AMSL |
| AREA | 3,795 acres (1,536 ha) |
| RUNWAY | 18/36 (9,503 ft by 150 ft) – Asphalt/Concrete Surface |
Cape Fear Regional Jetport
Cape Fear Regional Jetport (ICAO: KSUT, FAA LID: SUT) is a public-use airport located in Oak Island, North Carolina. It is one of the nearest airports in Wilmington NC residing at an elevation of 26 ft (8m) AMSL.
The airport covers a total area of 185 acres (75 ha) and features one concrete runway with designation 5/23. The dimension of the runway is 5,505 ft by 100 ft (1,678 m by 30 m).
Cape Fear Jetport is categorized as a general aviation airport and mostly facilitates private and recreational flights.
| ICAO CODE | KSUT |
| IATA CODE | – |
| FAA LID | SUT |
| ELEVATION | 26 ft (8 m) AMSL |
| AREA | 185 acres (75 ha) |
| RUNWAY | 5/23 (5,505 ft by 150 ft) – Concrete Surface |
Conclusion on Airports in Wilmington NC
Till the end of this article, we explored four airports in Wilmington NC. Wilmington International Airport is the closest airport in the city so, you can land at this airport to access the city area.
Cape Fear Regional Airport does not offer commercial service. That’s why you need to choose either Wilmington International Airport (ILM), Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ), or Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). MYR is almost 83.2 miles away from the city and it can take up to 2 hours drive.
If you prefer driving on the highway, you can go for MYR or OAJ and enjoy 2 hours drive to Wilmington NC otherwise, land at ILM to reach the city quickly.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR VISITORS
As your journey through the major airports of Wilmington, North Carolina comes to an end, you’re undoubtedly left with a sense of wonder and excitement for the adventures that lie ahead. The unique blend of coastal charm and modern amenities in this picturesque region is mirrored in the airports that serve as your starting points and homecomings. But before you embark on your next flight, here are a few travel tips to keep in mind:
- Pack a Bit of Patience: While Wilmington’s airports are well-equipped to handle travelers efficiently, remember that unexpected delays can occur. Give yourself some extra time to account for any unforeseen circumstances.
- Weather Awareness: Coastal weather can be unpredictable. Check the weather forecast for your destination and any layovers to ensure you’re prepared for any changes in climate.
- Local Delights: Take advantage of your time in Wilmington by indulging in local cuisine, exploring nearby attractions, and soaking in the vibrant culture of the area. Make the most of layovers by venturing into the city or nearby areas.
- Stay Connected: Stay connected with airport websites and apps for real-time flight updates, gate changes, and other important information. This will help you navigate any last-minute alterations seamlessly.
FAQs on Airports in Wilmington NC
What airport do I fly into for Wilmington NC?
The nearest airport to Wilmington NC is Wilmington International Airport (ILM). Major US airlines operate commercial flights to and from this airport.
How many airports are in Wilmington NC?
There is one major international airport in Wilmington NC which is Wilmington International Airport (ILM). There are other nearby airports including Cape Fear Regional Jetport and Myrtle Beach International Airport.
What airlines operate out of Wilmington NC?
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines operate out of Wilmington NC.
What cities have direct flights to Wilmington NC?
Major Cities including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, and much more have direct flights to Wilmington NC.
