ILG Breaks Records With Highest Passenger Count In First Half Of 2025

ILG has served over 660,000 passengers since launching service in 2023. (Photo courtesy of DRBA)

Passenger traffic at Wilmington Airport (ILG) continues to grow, officials from the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) announced that the facility has served more than 660,000 total passengers since Avelo Airlines launched service there in February 2023.

The milestone marks a dramatic comeback for Delaware, which just two years ago was the only state in the U.S. without commercial air service.

In the first half of 2025 alone, ILG saw 155,881 travelers—its highest six-month total in recent history.

“These record-setting passenger numbers emphasize the current demand for easy, affordable, and stress-free air travel that Wilmington Airport, Avelo Airlines and the Landline Company consistently provide,” said Thomas J. Cook, Executive Director of the DRBA, which operates ILG.

“Surpassing 660,000 total customers in just over two years and achieving a 20% increase in the first half of this year is a testament to the trust and loyalty travelers place in ILG. We are immensely proud to be the preferred airport for so many in the Delaware Valley who seek that friendly neighborhood airport experience.”

Avelo Airlines, the only commercial airline currently operating at ILG, attributed the growth to its focus on affordability and convenience.

“It’s a great milestone for Avelo flying over 650,000 Customers at the Philadelphia / Delaware Valley’s Wilmington Airport (ILG),” said Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy.

“Since the start of service at ILG in February 2023, our goal was to provide travelers with affordable, convenient and reliable air service and we’ve done just that. Here’s to even more Avelo Customers at ILG as we continue grow and expand in the Delaware Valley.”

According to data provided by DRBA, the top five destinations for Wilmington Airport passengers so far in 2025 include:

Orlando, FL (MCO): 12,607 enplanements, 11,904 deplanements
Fort Myers, FL (RSW): 9,572 enplanements, 10,002 deplanements
San Juan, PR (SJU): 7,841 enplanements, 7,829 deplanements
Tampa, FL (TPA): 7,785 enplanements, 7,866 deplanements
Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL): 7,132 enplanements, 7,195 deplanements

Travelers are increasingly choosing ILG for its short security lines, low-cost parking, and easy terminal access—benefits often lacking at larger regional airports.

To keep pace with its growing popularity, ILG is undergoing a multi-million-dollar terminal expansion slated for completion in late 2025. The project will include expanded passenger spaces, upgraded restrooms, an additional TSA screening lane, and new concessions.