Wilmington’s Historic Takeoff: Avelo Airlines Bridges Coastal NC and Punta Cana in Record-Breaking Tourism Year
WILMINGTON, NC — December 27, 2025 — The skyline of coastal North Carolina looked a little different this week as Wilmington International Airport (ILM) officially entered the world of international commercial aviation. On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines inaugurated its nonstop service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ), marking the first scheduled international route in the airport’s history.
The launch is not just a win for local vacationers; it is a strategic maneuver executed during a year where the Dominican Republic is shattering tourism records and U.S. holiday travel has reached an all-time high.
A Milestone Departure: ILM Goes Global
For decades, travelers in southeastern North Carolina looking to stamp their passports had to start their journey with a drive to Raleigh, Charlotte, or a connection in Atlanta. That changed at 10:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve when Avelo’s Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft taxied toward the runway, bound for the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Route Details at a Glance:
- Frequency: Twice weekly (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Aircraft: Boeing Next-Generation 737
- Duration: Seasonal service scheduled through April 2026
- Exclusivity: Avelo is the only carrier providing nonstop international service from ILM.
The inaugural festivities at ILM included a Dominican Republic flag celebration and sweet treats for passengers, while the return flight was greeted in Punta Cana with a traditional water-cannon salute and festive music.
The Strategic “Base” of Success
The launch of international service is the culmination of a rapid expansion for Avelo in Wilmington. In April 2025, the airline established ILM as a Crewmember base and base of operations.
Having a base means aircraft “live” at the airport overnight, which provides Avelo with significantly more schedule flexibility and reliability. This investment also brought approximately 50 new aviation jobs to the region, including roles for pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft mechanics. Since arriving in Wilmington in 2022, Avelo has flown more than 580,000 customers on nearly 5,000 flights, now serving 15 nonstop destinations from the port city.
Dominican Republic: The 10-Million-Visitor Powerhouse
Avelo’s choice of Punta Cana as its first international destination from ILM was no accident. The Dominican Republic is currently experiencing a “Golden Age” of tourism.
According to government reports released in early December, the country welcomed a staggering 10,284,251 visitors between January and November 2025.
- Air Arrivals: 7.88 million tourists
- Punta Cana’s Dominance: The region accounts for 62% of all air-arrival tourists in the country.
- U.S. Market Share: American travelers represent roughly 52% of all international arrivals to the island.
Operational Realities: Navigating the International Terminal
Travelers using the new route should be aware of a unique operational quirk at ILM. While the airport is compact, international arrivals require specialized processing.
- Departures: All passengers will check in and depart from the Main Passenger Terminal.
- Arrivals: Returning international passengers will be processed through a separate International Terminal equipped with a Federal Inspection Station (FIS).
- Customs Coordination: ILM Airport Director Jeff Bourk credited a massive coordination effort with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to prepare the facilities for scheduled commercial service—a first for the airport.
ILM’s Explosive Growth
The Punta Cana route is the “cherry on top” of what has been a record-breaking year for Wilmington International Airport. As of July 2025, ILM was ranked as the #1 major U.S. airport for growth in seat capacity, posting a 66% increase over a three-year period.
To keep up with this surge, the airport is currently undergoing a $130 million infrastructure project. Key upgrades include:
- A new multi-level parking garage (Phase 1 completed in mid-2025).
- A dedicated rental car area.
- A revamped terminal entrance and exterior.
- Expanded gate capacity to handle the projected 880,000 annual enplanements for 2025.
A Record Year for Holiday Travel
The timing of the launch aligns perfectly with AAA’s 2025 Year-End Holiday Forecast. AAA projects that 122.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more between December 20 and January 1—a 2.2% increase over the previous year.
In AAA’s booking data, Punta Cana ranks as the #2 international destination for U.S. travelers, trailing only Cancun. For families in the Wilmington area, the new Avelo flight offers a way to bypass the chaos of major hubs like Charlotte during the busiest travel window in history.
Conclusion: A Test Case for the Future
Airport Director Jeff Bourk has framed the Punta Cana service as a critical test. If the coastal North Carolina community supports these seasonal flights through April, it paves the way for further international expansion.
With Avelo’s existing base, ILM’s modernized facilities, and the skyrocketing demand for Caribbean travel, Wilmington has successfully transitioned from a regional feeder to a legitimate international gateway. For now, the “Cheetahs” of the sky are ready to whisk North Carolinians away to the tropics, one nonstop flight at a time.
Wilmington’s Historic Takeoff: Avelo Airlines Bridges Coastal NC and Punta Cana in Record-Breaking Tourism Year
