NEW CASTLE, Del. – This afternoon, Miss Delaware and Miss Delaware Teen, Emily Beale and Sophia Hughes respectively, departed Wilmington Airport – ILG aboard Avelo Flight 559 to participate in the 2024 Miss America and Miss America Teen pageants, which will take place in the state-of-the-art Broadway theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, in Orlando, Florida.

For the first time in the history of Wilmington Airport – ILG and thanks to Avelo Airlines, Delaware’s 2024 Miss America & Miss America’s Teen pageant contestants are flying commercially from their home state airport, Wilmington – ILG, to participate in these historic pageants.  Contestant winners will be crowned the weekend of January 13-14.

Hughes Aglan Beale Cook:  DRBA Executive Director Thomas J. Cook and Avelo Base Manager Aya Aglan present flower bouquets to Ms. Beale and Ms. Hughes.

Beale and Hughes on the Aircraft Boarding Ramp:   Miss Delaware Emily Beale (left) and Miss Delaware Teen Sophia Hughes wave to the crowd as the pair boards the flight bound for Orlando, Florida. 

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington Airport – ILG, Civil Air Terminal, and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry, and airport facilities.  For more information, please visit www.drba.net.