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Wilmington Airport (Delaware)

Coordinates: 39°40′43″N 075°36′24″W / 39.67861°N 75.60667°W / 39.67861; -75.60667
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For the military use of this facility, see New Castle Air National Guard Base.
"New Castle Airport" redirects here. For other uses, see New Castle Airport (disambiguation).
Wilmington Airport
2006 USGS aerial photo
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerNew Castle County, Delaware
OperatorDelaware River and Bay Authority
ServesWilmington, Delaware
Locationunincorporated New Castle County[1]
Operating base forAvelo Airlines
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (-5)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (-4)
Elevation AMSL80 ft / 24 m
Coordinates39°40′43″N 075°36′24″W / 39.67861°N 75.60667°W / 39.67861; -75.60667
Websitewww.flyilg.com
Maps
FAA airport diagram
FAA airport diagram
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
09/27 7,275 2,217 Asphalt
01/19 7,012 2,137 Asphalt
14/32 4,602 1,403 Asphalt
Statistics (2022)
Passenger enplanements (2013)52,456
Aircraft operations (year ending 12/22/2022)46,057
Based aircraft219

Wilmington Airport (IATA: ILG, ICAO: KILG, FAA LID: ILG) (formerly known as New Castle Airport, New Castle County Airport, sometimes referred to as Wilmington-New Castle Airport, or to a lesser extent Wilmington/Philadelphia Regional Airport and Greater Wilmington Airport) is an airport located in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware,[1] near Wilmington, Delaware.[2] Owned by New Castle County and operated under a lease agreement with the Delaware River and Bay Authority, it is five miles (8 km) south of Wilmington and about 30 miles (50 km) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2] It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021, in which it is categorized as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.[3]

Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 642 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2011 and 1,064 passenger boardings in 2012.[4] Thanks to the inauguration of service by Frontier Airlines, 2013 enplanements increased to 52,456,[5] though Frontier ceased its Delaware service in 2015. Frontier resumed service to Wilmington in February 2021 but discontinued service again in June 2022. Avelo Airlines has since started service to Wilmington in February 2023.[6]

History

[edit]

The airport opened before World War II, when it was named the Wilmington Airport and the Greater Wilmington Airport. The facility was taken over by the United States Army Air Forces during the war. Under USAAF control, the airport became New Castle Army Air Base. Its mission was to facilitate the movement of aircraft to the British and other Allies. Members of the historic Women Air Service Pilots (WASP) served as test and ferry pilots and towed targets for student gunners. There is a statue today at the airport that honors the women of the WASP that served their country in the time of need.[7]

After the war ended, control of the airport was returned to civil authorities. A joint-use agreement was made between the United States Air Force and New Castle County authorities for a portion of the airport being retained for an Air National Guard Base. Trans World Airlines (TWA) operated a large overhaul base for its overseas planes at the airport until 1957, when the airline moved the base to the Kansas City Overhaul Base, which itself became the basis for today's Kansas City International Airport.[8]

Wilmington hosted the state of Delaware's first airline flights when TWA and American Airlines arrived in late 1947.

By 1967, Eastern Airlines was operating Douglas DC-9 jet service into the airport with nonstop flights to Newark Airport, Philadelphia Airport, and Washington, D.C.'s National Airport as well as direct flights to Atlanta and Charlotte.[9]

Allegheny Airlines also served Wilmington. In 1968, AL had four daily departures using their F-27s nonstop to Philadelphia, Washington's National Airport, Atlantic City, and Trenton. In 1969, Allegheny no longer flew F-27s and changed the four departures to Convair 580 prop-jets with two to DCA, one to PHL, and one to ACY.[10]

United Airlines, while on a campaign to serve all 50 states, began service to Wilmington in 1984 with one-stop jet flights to Chicago. Service continued through 1987.[11]

Famed aviator Charles Lindbergh made a trip from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Wilmington, Delaware, on October 21, 1927, as part of his triumphant tour of America after his solo trip across the Atlantic Ocean.[12]

1990s to present

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During five periods since 1990, Delaware has been the only U.S. state without any scheduled commercial airline flights: from 1993 through 1998, again from 2000 to 2006, from April 2008 until June 30, 2013, between April 2015 and February 2021,[13] and from June 2022 to January 2023.

USAir Express carrier Crown Airways provided scheduled service to Parkersburg, West Virginia, briefly beginning in 1992 before its sale to Mesa Airlines in 1994.[citation needed].

Avelo Airlines began service to ILG in 2023.

In the late 1990s, the county leased the debt-stricken airport to the bi-state Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), operators of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, and Cape May-Lewes Ferry, on a thirty-year lease with the provision that the DRBA may seek up to two additional thirty-year leases. Since taking over operations, the DRBA invested heavily in the airport's infrastructure - upgrading many aging buildings, rehabilitating taxiways and runways, and building numerous new hangars and commercial buildings on the property.

Shuttle America offered scheduled flights out of Wilmington from the airline's founding in November 1998 until February 2000. They flew to Hartford, Buffalo, and Norfolk with 50-seat de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8-300 turboprops. Shuttle America would eventually discontinue its independent operations and become a commuter affiliate of United Express and Delta Connection.

On June 29, 2006, a Delta Air Lines regional airline affiliate began flights from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Wilmington Airport in New Castle County, the first airline service in six years. Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines flew 50-seat Canadair CRJ regional jets on two daily roundtrip flights. Delta Air Lines ended the Wilmington flights on September 6, 2007, leaving Delaware without any airline service.

On March 8, 2008, Skybus Airlines began Airbus A319 jet flights from Columbus, Ohio, and Greensboro, North Carolina, to Wilmington. Skybus ceased all operations effective April 4, 2008,[14] once again leaving Wilmington Airport without any airline service. As of August 4, 2010, Avis Rent a Car System, LLC, Budget Rent A Car System, Inc., and Cafe Bama were the only tenants in the Main Terminal.

On July 1, 2013, Frontier began Airbus A320 jet service at Wilmington, initially with flights to Denver, Chicago-Midway, Houston-Hobby, Orlando, and Tampa.[15] On June 26, 2013, Frontier announced nonstop jet service to Fort Myers would begin November 16.[16] In June 2015, Frontier Airlines announced that it was ending all service from Wilmington because it was not a profitable operation. Service had actually stopped in April 2015, but at that time, Frontier claimed it was just a seasonal suspension of service.[17]

On January 24, 2020, it was announced that Frontier Airlines has decided to restart service out of Wilmington.[18] The start date was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] Frontier Airlines service between Wilmington and Orlando restarted on February 11, 2021,[20] but ended on June 6, 2022.[21]

On October 20, 2022, Avelo Airlines announced it would be opening a new base at Wilmington-New Castle Airport with the addition of five new nonstop destinations in Florida, which include Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Tampa and West Palm Beach. It was reported the agreement with Avelo and DRBA was for five years. All flights began operating out of ILG in February 2023.

In April 2023, the airline announced nine additional routes from Wilmington. Flights were planned to begin that June.[22][23]

The Delaware Air National Guard Base, located at the Wilmington Airport, is used by President Joe Biden when he travels home from Washington, D.C.[24]

Facilities

[edit]

The airport covers 1,250 acres (506 ha) at an elevation of 80 feet (24 m). It has three asphalt runways: 9/27 is 7,275 by 150 feet (2,217 x 46 m); 1/19 is 7,012 by 150 feet (2,137 x 46 m); 14/32 is 4,602 by 150 feet (1,403 x 46 m).[2]

The airport terminal building has no jet bridges, thus requiring air stairs in order to board and disembark aircraft.

In the year ending December 22, 2022, the airport had 46,057 aircraft operations, average 126 per day: 80% general aviation, 12% military, 8% air taxi, and <1% airline. 219 aircraft were then based at the airport: 94 single-engine, 74 jet, 26 multi-engine, 20 military, and 5 helicopter.[2]

ARFF is supported via Delaware Air National Guard Fire Department Station 33.

Airline and destinations

[edit]
AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Avelo Airlines Atlanta,[25] Charlotte/Concord,[26] Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Lakeland,[27] Nashville (begins May 1, 2025),[28] Orlando, San Juan, Tampa
Seasonal: Daytona Beach,[25] Myrtle Beach, Sarasota,[25] West Palm Beach,[25] Wilmington (NC) 		[29]

Destinations map

[edit]
Destinations map
class=notpageimage|
Destinations from Wilmington Airport
  = Year-round destination
  = Future destination
  = Seasonal destination

Ground transportation

[edit]

Bus transportation

[edit]
Public transit
Bus transport System Route(s) Refs
DART First State 13, 25 [30]
Tarmac-to-tarmac shuttle
Bus transport Operator Destination Notes Refs
American Airlines (operated by Landline) Philadelphia Passengers check bags and clear security at ILG, and go directly to PHL via motorcoach [31]

American Airlines announced in July 2024 that it will establish a connecting bus to Philadelphia International Airport from Wilmington Airport.[32] The service is ticketed & operated as an airline flight but will utilize buses, given Philadelphia's close proximity to Wilmington and available connections as a major hub for American Airlines. This airside-to-airside service, which is solely for screened passengers who booked a seat on the route, is operated by American's bus service partner, Landline, on the airline's behalf.

Statistics

[edit]

Top destinations

[edit]
Busiest domestic routes from ILG
(September 2023 – August 2024)[33]
Rank` City Passengers Airline
1 Florida Orlando, Florida 29,900 Avelo
2 Florida Tampa, Florida 18,670 Avelo
3 Florida Fort Myers, Florida 17,260 Avelo
4 Florida Fort Lauderdale, Florida 16,860 Avelo
5 Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico 12,770 Avelo
6 South Carolina Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 9,220 Avelo
7 North Carolina Wilmington, North Carolina 7,380 Avelo
8 Florida West Palm Beach, Florida 7,040 Avelo
9 Florida Sarasota, Florida 6,490 Avelo
10 Florida Daytona Beach, Florida 5,100 Avelo

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • On July 20, 1945, a USAF Douglas C-54 on a transition flight crashed crossing the airfield and impacting the ground from a low altitude. All 4 occupants were killed. Cause unknown.[34]
  • On November 18, 1947, a Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-049 Constellation on a training flight crashed on final approach to Wilmington short of the runway and burst into flames. All 5 crew were killed.[35]
  • On June 16, 1992, a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air operated by Omega Air Inc stalled and crashed into trees on final approach to Wilmington because of engine and compressor turbine blade failure. All 4 occupants (2 crew, 2 passengers) were killed.[36]
  • On October 30, 2001, an Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros caught fire while taxiing in Wilmington. The fire was caused by a ruptured oil line, which resulted in oil spraying onto the APU exhaust and a subsequent fire. The private pilot aboard was not injured.[37]
  • On February 25, 2002, a Beechcraft C23 Musketeer experienced a total loss of engine power while on approach to Wilmington. A student and instructor aboard were circling to land on runway 19 after shooting the ILS to runway 1. The engine failed during the circle, and the instructor was unable to finish the engine failure checklist before impact due to the low altitude. The probable cause of the accident was found to be the flight instructor's improper fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation. Both occupants survived.[38]
  • On September 3, 2007, a Piper PA-34 Seneca was damaged while landing in Wilmington. After touchdown, the aircraft ballooned and settled back to the runway. Upon settling the windshield broke, and the aircraft bounced again before touching down again. Investigation found that the nose landing gear A frame had impacted the base of the windshield after tearing through the fuselage structure located above the nose landing gear wheel well. The right propeller was also damaged. The cause of the accident was found to be the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.[39]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: New Castle County, DE" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. pp. 12, 16 (PDF pp. 13, 17/45). Retrieved 2023-06-25. New Castle County Arprt - Also referred to with the aircraft symbol and "New Castle Arprt" on page 16 (17/45).
  2. ^ a b c d e FAA Airport Form 5010 for ILG PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective September 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "List of NPIAS Airports" (PDF). FAA.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016. - See also Zoning Map of the City of New Castle
  4. ^ "Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) and All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  5. ^ "Frontier Airlines to begin commercial service from Delaware's New Castle Airport". South Jersey Times. April 9, 2013.
  6. ^ Owens, Jacob (20 October 2022). "Avelo Airlines plots Florida campaign from Wilmington". Delaware Business Times. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  7. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
  8. ^ "Delawareans Helped To Pioneer Flying; 50th Anniversary to Be Observed Here". Wilmington Sunday Star. December 13, 1953.
  9. ^ http://www.timetableimages.com, June 13, 1967 Eastern Airlines system timetable
  10. ^ Allegheny Airlines timetables March 1, 1968; April 27, 1969; April 26, 1970
  11. ^ United Airlines timetables
  12. ^ "Atlantic Aviation History 82 Years Later".
  13. ^ Cassidy, John. "Frontier Airlines returns to Delaware with 3 flights per week". The News Journal. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  14. ^ "Low-cost carrier Skybus calls it quits". NBC News. April 4, 2008. Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  15. ^ Mutzabaugh, Ben (2013-07-02). "Frontier Airlines puts Delaware back on USA's flight map". USA Today. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  16. ^ "Frontier Airlines Adds New Nonstop Route Between Wilmington/Philadelphia and Fort Myers, Fla" (Press release). Frontier Airlines. June 26, 2013.
  17. ^ Goss, Scott (June 30, 2015). "Frontier Airlines' pullout leaves Delaware with no flights". USA Today. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  18. ^ Goss, Scott (January 24, 2020). "Breaking: Commercial Airline Service Returning to Wilmington Airport". Town Square Delaware. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  19. ^ "Frontier plans to launch service from Wilmington-New Castle in mid-November". Delaware Business Now. April 21, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  20. ^ Quinn, Holly (April 5, 2021). "Frontier goes public with a $266M market entry". Technical.ly Delaware. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  21. ^ "Frontier Airlines' exit will make Delaware the only state without commercial airline service". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  22. ^ "Avelo Airlines announces 9 new, nonstop flight destinations from Wilmington Airport in Delaware". 6abc Philadelphia. 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  23. ^ Stamm, Dan. "Wilmington to Wilmington: Discount Airline Adds Routes at Delaware Airport. Flights Start at $29". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  24. ^ "A Longtime Delaware Resident Commutes Home. A Few Things Have Changed". New York Times. 2021-02-07. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  25. ^ a b c d "Avelo adding major Southeast hub to Wilmington roster". WDel. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  26. ^ "Avelo Airlines expanding to Concord, adding 6 nonstop routes". wbtv. July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  27. ^ "Avelo Airlines announces 7 new routes out of Lakeland, including San Juan, this fall". The Ledger. July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  28. ^ Fox, Allison (December 4, 2024). "Avelo Airlines Just Announced 7 New Routes — Including 2 to the Caribbean". Travel+Leisure. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  29. ^ "Destinations". Avelo Airlines. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  30. ^ https://flyilg.com/ground-transportation Ground transportation at ILG
  31. ^ https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/landline.jsp Trip connections with Landline
  32. ^ Serio, Luca (2024-07-30). "American Airlines expands 'Landline' Bus service connecting Wilmington Airport with PHL". CBS News. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  33. ^ "RITA | BTS | Transtats". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. January 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  34. ^ Accident description for 44-9026 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on July 28, 2023.
  35. ^ Accident description for NC86507 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on July 28, 2023.
  36. ^ Accident description for N32HG at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on July 28, 2023.
  37. ^ "Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C crash in Delaware (N90688) | PlaneCrashMap.com". planecrashmap.com. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  38. ^ "Accident description for N2192W at Aviation Safety Network". aviationsafetynetwork.org. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  39. ^ "Piper PA-34-200T crash in Delaware (N251AS) | PlaneCrashMap.com". planecrashmap.com. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
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