Developers Propose $30 Million Wilmington Airport Expansion
Cape Fear Coastal Aviation and ARQ Realty plan to add a new fixed-base operator and 60,000 square feet of hangar space.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Air Travel
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Cape Fear Coastal Aviation and ARQ Realty have submitted plans for a major development project at Wilmington International Airport. The proposed $30 million initiative would add a third fixed-base operator and significant new aviation infrastructure to the facility.
Why it matters
The project aims to address a local demand for additional small aircraft hangar space and fuel services in the Wilmington area. It represents a potential expansion of general aviation capabilities currently limited to two existing operators.
The development covers 20 acres and includes a 24,000-square-foot community hangar, two 12,000-square-foot hangars, and a 15,000-square-foot training building. The total investment for the new facilities is estimated at $30 million.
The players
Cape Fear Coastal Aviation
This private aviation company currently operates maintenance and office services at 1501 Morris Drive.
ARQ Realty
This real estate firm is partnering with Cape Fear Coastal Aviation on the proposed hangar and training center expansion.
New Hanover County Airport Authority
This board maintains governance over Wilmington International Airport and must review the proposed development plans.
Federal Aviation Administration
This national agency oversees civil aviation and received a formal complaint from Cape Fear Coastal Aviation last year.
The details
The developers must meet minimum requirements set by the airport and secure approval from the New Hanover County Airport Authority board. If cleared, the new space will feature simulator and training rooms to complement existing operations at 1501 Morris Drive.
Timeline
Cape Fear Coastal Aviation opened for business in 2023.
The company filed a formal complaint with the FAA last year.
ILM officials issued a statement regarding hangar door design in 2025.
The flight school plans to upfit the Aero Center second floor next year.
Developers hope to break ground on the project by mid-2027.
Travel Outlook
This project reflects a broader push to modernize general aviation infrastructure at regional airports to meet increased private pilot activity. It follows a national trend of developers seeking to close service gaps in fuel availability and hangar access for small aircraft.
Local pilots and small aircraft owners may see expanded access to hangar storage and fuel services if the proposal reaches completion. Construction is expected to take between nine months and a year, potentially impacting site activity at the airport once ground is broken.
The takeaway
Large-scale infrastructure projects at regional airports are heavily dependent on multi-stage approval processes with local governing boards. Interested parties should monitor the New Hanover County Airport Authority for future scheduling of development reviews.
What happens next
The project hinges on securing formal approval from the New Hanover County Airport Authority board before construction can begin.
Further reading
For more on the state of aviation in the region, visit the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WilmingtonBiz.
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