Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is the busiest commercial airport in southeastern North Carolina, serving the greater Wilmington metropolitan area and the Cape Fear region. It handles several hundred thousand passengers annually and connects the region to major hub cities across the eastern United States. The airport is owned and operated by the Wilmington Airport Authority and sits approximately four miles north of downtown Wilmington. It has undergone various modernization efforts over the years to accommodate growing passenger demand driven by the region's expanding population and tourism industry. ILM primarily offers connecting service to major airline hubs rather than long-haul nonstop routes, reflecting its status as a regional airport. It plays a significant economic role for the Cape Fear coast, supporting both leisure travel to nearby beaches and business travel for the area's growing industries.