Currently under renovation and expansion, the Wilmington Airport terminal will be officially dedicated as the Thomas R. Carper Passenger Terminal Facility. (Photo courtesy of drba)
The passenger terminal at Wilmington Airport will be renamed the Thomas R. Carper Passenger Terminal Facility later this year, following a recent vote by the Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA) commissioners to honor the retired U.S. senator.
Approved through Resolution 25-28, the designation recognizes Carper’s more than five decades of public service in Delaware and his long-standing support of the DRBA and its infrastructure initiatives.
“On behalf of the DRBA, we’d like to recognize Sen. Carper for his steadfast advocacy and support of our organization throughout his career,” said Thomas J. Cook, executive director.
“Upon the news of his retirement, it made perfect sense to acknowledge Sen. Carper, a distinguished member of the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame, by naming our renovated and expanded terminal facility in his honor,” he said. “From championing the DRBA’s 1995 acquisition of ILG, to relentlessly vying for grants to enhance infrastructure improvements and promote economic growth, Sen. Carper will forever be fondly remembered here at the DRBA.”
Ben Clendaniel, AAE, director of airport operations, highlighted Carper’s role in strengthening Delaware’s only commercial airport.
Sen. Thomas Richard Carper served from 2001- 2025 as a US senator for Delaware.
“Sen. Carper’s love of flight and commitment to supporting aviation in Delaware was crucial in keeping Wilmington Airport competitive,” Clendaniel said. “As [it is] Delaware’s only commercial service airport, he recognized the airport’s importance of putting Delaware on the map by enhancing access to air travel for Delawareans and attracting new economic opportunities including aviation jobs to our region. Because of his dedication, we’ve been able to continually strengthen our ability to improve the customer experience and expand connectivity in our community.”
Carper, a former U.S. Navy flight officer who served three tours during the Vietnam War, began his civilian public service as Delaware’s state treasurer in 1977. He later represented Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1992, served two terms as governor from 1993 to 2000, and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2001. He retired from public office in January 2025.
Over the years, Carper played a central role in securing major funding for infrastructure projects tied to DRBA operations. In 2024, he helped obtain a $5.6 million grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Terminal Program, which is supporting the ongoing $9.8 million expansion of the Wilmington Airport terminal. That project is expected to be completed this fall.
The terminal renaming is expected to be formally dedicated later this year, as the airport undergoes ongoing renovation and a major expansion.
Claudia is a Philadelphia-based journalist and reporter passionate about storytelling that informs and engages the community. Claudia, a proud Temple University graduate, has built a career covering impactful stories and creating compelling content across digital and print media platforms. With a strong background in writing, editing, and research, Claudia has worked on various topics, from local news to in-depth features, always striving to deliver meaningful and accurate reporting editor@townsquarelive.com
