This morning, Sun Country Airlines announced plans to start service at Wilmington International Airport (ILM). Sun Country will fly nonstop between ILM and Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) during the summer season, beginning June 2023. The airline’s announcement was part of a 15-city route expansion announced by Sun Country.
“We’re excited to launch this new, nonstop route for Minnesotans who want more options to explore North Carolina and all it has to offer,” says Grant Whitney, chief revenue officer at Sun Country Airlines. “With great attractions – including beautiful beaches, a world-renowned Riverwalk and a vibrant historic district – Wilmington appeals to travelers of all ages with many different interests. We’re thrilled to add this incredible area to our growing Sun Country network.”
“On behalf of the Airport Authority, we extend our thanks to Sun Country and warmly welcome them to our market,” stated Spruill Thompson, New Hanover County Airport Authority Chair. “We’re really excited we have a 5th airline serving ILM.”
Based in Minnesota, Sun Country focuses on serving leisure passengers and those visiting friends and relatives. Sun Country Airlines operates 120 routes serving more than 90 airports across the United States, Mexico, Central America, Canada and the Caribbean, providing safe, reliable, hassle-free flights at affordable prices. Sun Country offers a customer experience that includes free in-flight entertainment, complimentary non-alcoholic beverage service, a mobile-friendly website with more self-service tools, and new interiors on each aircraft.
The nonstop flights between ILM and MSP begin June 1st and will operate twice weekly through Labor Day weekend. For those planning a trip to the west coast, travelers have convenient connection options beyond Minneapolis-St.Paul.
“Our flight options for travelers continue to grow with the addition of our fifth airline, a new nonstop flight, and more low fares,” stated Jeff Bourk, Airport Director. “Thank you, Sun Country, for choosing ILM!”
The nonstop flight between Wilmington and Minneapolis-St Paul is the first nonstop flight between the city pair. “This new nonstop flight provides more choices for our residents and supports inbound tourism for our area,” stated Julia Boseman, Chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. “The increased air service at ILM generates economic growth and activity for our region and is a welcome addition to our airport and to New Hanover County.”
Links:
Photos, b-roll and additional company information
Media Contact:
Erin McNally
Marketing, Air Service Development & PR Manager
emcnally@flyilm.com
###
About the Wilmington International Airport: The Wilmington International Airport serves southeastern North Carolina with commercial air service on American, Avelo, Delta, United, and-starting June 2023- Sun Country. These airlines provide nonstop service to fourteen markets, connecting travelers to hundreds of destinations. Avelo Airlines, began nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale, Nov. 11th. Earlier this year, United launched nonstop service to Newark airport, American increased nonstop service to Boston on a daily seasonal service and resumed seasonal service to Chicago, and Delta announced an increase to daily seasonal service to LaGuardia. In May and September ILM set a record for the number of enplanements at ILM. The NCDOT Division of Aviation’s 2020 report estimated ILM’s economic impact at $2.25 billion and 16,385 jobs. For more information on ILM, please visit flyILM.com
About Sun Country Airlines:
Sun Country Airlines is a new breed of hybrid low-cost air carrier, whose mission is to connect guests to their favorite people and places, to create lifelong memories and transformative experiences. Sun Country dynamically deploys shared resources across our synergistic scheduled service, charter, and cargo businesses. Based in Minnesota, we focus on serving leisure and visiting friends and relatives (“VFR”) passengers and charter customers and providing CMI service to Amazon, with flights throughout the United States and to destinations in Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean.
