ILM saw uptick in traffic in 2015

Angie Fanning, who owns AwayBug Travel, a boutique agency, said her clients usually fly out of Wilmington instead of choosing other nearby airports.

“Wilmington has gotten more competitive in their rates and fares,” she said. “For a long time, people were always driving to Myrtle Beach because it was more expensive to fly out of Wilmington. … Now I hardly have anyone driving to Myrtle.”

When her customers drive to Raleigh, Fanning added, it is usually not because of fares, but instead to avoid a layover.