Wilmington's Airport a Hot Entry Point for the Rich and Famous

Forget Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill. There's another source of the Port City's reputation as the "Hollywood of the East" - Wilmington International Airport.

It's not often talked about - and certainly not celebrated - but countless movie stars, athletes and politicians stop at ILM on North 23rd Street.

Ensconced in personal or chartered jets, suntanned and relaxed, they touch down fresh off weekend getaways in tropical destinations, such as the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, St. Kitts or South America.

But don't expect to see them on the street or in the line at the grocery story. For them, the Port City stopover is one of convenience.

They're here mainly to refuel their planes and go through U.S. Customs, so they can return to their fabulous lives in New York or elsewhere.

While ILM doesn't offer direct commercial flights internationally, Wilmington is one of the few places on the East Coast where incoming corporate and private aircraft can land to clear customs.

The stops are quick - usually a half-hour or less. Typically, the only local sight the famous passengers see up close is in the U.S. Customs building, which sits apart from ILM's main terminal, far enough away to shield them from adoring fans and prying paparazzi.

Bono,

De Niro and J-Lo

U2 lead singer Bono, actor Robert De Niro and NASCAR standout Dale Earnhardt Jr. have all graced ILM runways. The list goes on and on. Actor Harrison Ford, All-Star New York Yankee Derek Jeter and superstar singer Britney Spears and her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, to name a few more.

"You never know who's getting off the airplane," said Bill Cherry, president of Air Wilmington, a fixed base operator, which, like a convenience store for road travelers, provides fuel and other services to aircraft at ILM.

Candice Willis, 27, Air Wilmington marketing director, said she sees one or two celebrities a month on average. Recently, she's seen Jennifer "J-Lo" Lopez and her husband, Marc Anthony, Latin diva Shakira and actor Johnny Depp, among others, she said.

"J-Lo and Marc Anthony are in here a lot," she said.

Several years ago, members of the band REM flew in to ILM and something happened with their transportation, so she drove them in her car to the main terminal to rent one.

"Apparently, they have friends on Figure Eight (Island)," Willis said.

Travolta's 'the nicest'

Celebrities find convenience and anonymity at ILM, where the U.S. Customs area isn't crowded, as it might be elsewhere. So the only people they typically see are the ones who stamp their passports and service their planes.

Bob Welch, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer for nearly two decades, said he's seen his share of celebrities and treats them like all other passengers.

"Whether you're world famous or whether you're a flight attendant on the aircraft, you're supposed to be treated the same, and that's just the way I look at it," he said. "The fact that you're a rock star or a celebrity or an athlete just doesn't mean anything to me."

Sometimes, the celebs appreciate that and other times seem bothered that they're not recognized as important people, he said.

Paul Eney, port director with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Wilmington, said the customs process is the same at ILM as at larger airports. As with anyone, sometimes celebrity luggage is checked thoroughly, other times not. Once in a while, Cuban cigars are confiscated, he said.

Kim Blackmore, Air Wilmington customer service manager, has caught a glimpse of many celebrities in her six years at ILM. At Christmastime and during March - the busiest times for international travel - it's not uncommon to see two or three famous people in a weekend, she said.

Typically, they're in and out quickly and quietly, she said, and Air Wilmington employees don't bombard them with autograph requests.

Blackmore said the enthusiasm she felt seeing her first famous people has worn off over the years, but that some newer employees love to see them.

"Some of the new girls, if they see somebody famous, they'll get excited," she said.

Air Wilmington employees agreed John Travolta is the nicest celebrity of the bunch. Willis said she brought her mother up one day when she knew Travolta would be there. Her mom had grand plans to introduce herself and have a great conversation. But when she saw the megastar, her mom froze and couldn't say a word.

"When he walked in the door, she was totally star-struck," Willis said.

Shopping with Britney and Justin

A few years ago, Spears and Timberlake, a couple at the time, had aircraft problems at ILM, borrowed Cherry's car and went shopping at Independence Mall.

But more often, ILM is just a stop along the way for the rich and famous, like a gas station in the middle of nowhere for a cross-country driver. Wilmington offers them the anonymity they desire.

"These high-profile people, they don't want to be bothered," Cherry said. "They want to go to the warm climate. They want to play, and they want to go home."

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