The 7 Busiest Airports in Delaware

With a population of roughly 1 million individuals, Delaware is one of the smallest territories in the United States. Consequently, Delaware does not have its own commercial airports. Residents typically travel through airports in nearby cities, such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York City. Here’s our list of the seven busiest airports in Delaware and bordering states.

7. Wilmington Airport – ILG

Wilmington Airport in Newcastle, Delaware, is the only airport in the state used for commercial, general aviation. It acts as the operating base for Avelo Airlines and typically hosts roughly 126 commercial flights per day. Only 12,476 commercial enplanements took place last year, with the majority coming through Avelo Airlines. When visiting his home state, President Joe Biden flies through ILG, as the Delaware Air National Guard lies within Wilmington Airport. The tiny, yet busy airport had a total of 46,057 aircraft operations in 2022, making it the busiest airport in Delaware.

6. Atlantic City International – ACY

As previously mentioned, most Delaware residents must travel through airports in bordering states. New Jersey is by far one of the most popular options for travelers, as the state is within a two-hour drive from Delaware’s capital city. Atlantic City International Airport is much larger than Wilmington Airport and offers thousands of daily flights. Last year, 426,686 enplanements occurred at ACY. While the airport is not a large hub, it does provide connecting flights to countless travelers on the East Coast.

5. Washington Dulles International – IAD

Dulles Airport is quite the journey from Delaware, yet it is the first massive hub on our list to offer millions of international flight options. Despite its name, Washington Dulles International lies in the state of Virginia. With 7,227,875 enplanements in 2021, it’s the 28th busiest airport in the United States. It’s also the first airport on our list to host airlines such as United, Southwest, and Delta. While it may not be the most practical option for Delaware locals, more than 60,000 passengers fly through IAD daily. The bustling, federally-owned airport offers flights to 139 destinations and dozens of cities around the globe.

4. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall – BWI

BWI is yet another incredibly busy airport that is quite popular among Delaware locals. It’s classified as a large hub airport and is home to hundreds of premier airlines. More than 9 million passengers traveled through Baltimore Washington International in 2021, making it the 22nd busiest airport in the country. It serves as an operating base for Southwest Airlines and is home to several other reputable commercial airlines. BWI is just a couple hours away from Wilmington, Delaware, and is arguably the most frequented airport by the state’s residents. It rests in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, just nine miles south of downtown Baltimore. Maryland officials established the airport in 1950 and named it after Thurgood Marshall, who was the first African-American Supreme Court Justice.

3. Philadelphia International – PHL

Due to its proximity to Delaware’s capital city, Philadelphia International is the most popular airport for Delawareans. With nearly 10 million enplanements last year, PHL became the 21st busiest airport in the United States. It acts as a hub for UPS and American Airlines, while also operating as a base for Frontier Airlines. Its busiest domestic destinations include Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas, with roughly 3 million travelers heading to those four cities. First opened in 1925, the seven-terminal behemoth is the largest airport in Pennsylvania. PHL’s 22 distinct airlines offer approximately 500 daily departures to more than 130 locations around the globe.

2. Newark Liberty International – EWR

Newark Liberty International is the 14th busiest airport in the country, with 14,514,049 enplanements in 2021. Located in Newark, New Jersey, it acts as a hub for FedEx Express and United Airlines. Over 63% of passengers fly with United Airlines, making it the largest tenant at EWR. Newark Liberty is less than a two-hour drive from Delaware and serves as one of the most frequented airports by Delawareans. It’s designated as the focus city for JetBlue and is a major gateway point to Europe, South America, and Asia. Newark Liberty became the 23rd busiest airport in the world, as nearly 44 million passengers flew through EWR in 2022.

1. John F. Kennedy International – JFK

Although it’s quite the journey from Delaware, it’s one of the most popular airports for residents who plan to travel internationally. Located in Queens, New York, John F. Kennedy International is the 6th busiest airport in the United States. It’s by far the largest airport system in New York and the busiest international air passage gateway into North America. JFK International acts as a hub for Delta and American Airlines and saw over 15 million enplanements in 2021. Last year, more than 55 million passengers traveled through JFK. The gigantic airport also acts as a cargo hub for FedEx, DHL, and countless parcel delivery companies.