Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport

Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport
IATA: FLLICAO: KFLLFAA LID: FLL
FLL
Location of FLL
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Broward County
Operator Broward County
Serves South Florida
Location Broward County, Florida
Hub for
Elevation AMSL 9 ft / 3 m
Website www.broward.org/airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
9L/27R 9,000 2,743 Asphalt
9R/27L 5,276 1,608 Asphalt
13/31 6,930 2,112 Asphalt
Statistics (2010)
Total passengers (ACI)[1] 22,412,627
Aircraft operations (ACI)[1] 272,293
Based aircraft 57
Source: Federal Aviation Administration[2]

Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport (IATA: FLLICAO: KFLLFAA LID: FLL) is an international commercial airport located in unincorporated Broward County, Florida,[3] three miles (5 km) southwest of the central business district of Fort Lauderdale.[2] It is also located near the city of Hollywood and is 21 miles (33.7 km) north of Miami.

In 2010, the airport processed 22,412,627 passengers[1] (6.4% increase over 2009) including 3,447,393 international passengers (13.9% increase over 2009). Although 2010 showed significant growth in traffic, the year failed to reach 2007/2008 levels by about 200,000 passengers. From June 2010 through May 2011, the top five air carriers in terms of domestic market share were: Southwest Airlines at 18.9%; Spirit Airlines at 17.3%; JetBlue Airways at 16.6%; Delta Air Lines at 16.5%; and US Airways at 8.8%.[4] At that time, FLL was ranked as the 22nd busiest airport (in terms of passenger traffic) in the United States as well as the nation's 15th busiest international air gateway. The facility also ranks as one of the 50 busiest airports in the world.

Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport serves as a focus city for Allegiant Air, JetBlue Airways, and Caribbean Airlines. The airport is the largest base for Spirit Airlines, catering mainly to the airline's international to domestic network. It is also a hub for Gulfstream International Airlines under the Continental Connection name and Lynx Air International. The airport's close proximity to cruise line terminals at Port Everglades has also made it popular among tourists bound for the Caribbean. Since the late 1990s, FLL has emerged as an intercontinental gateway as well, especially for charter carriers, although Miami International Airport still handles most long-haul flights to and from South Florida. The airport offers free Wi-Fi Internet access throughout its terminals.

Contents

History

Merle Fogg Airport opened on an abandoned 9-hole golf course on May 1, 1929. At the start of World War II, it was commissioned by the United States Navy and renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. The base was initially used for refitting civil airliners for military service before they were ferried across the South Atlantic to Europe and North Africa. NAS Fort Lauderdale later became a main training base for Naval Aviators and enlisted naval air crewmen flying the TBF and TBM Avenger for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aboard aircraft carriers and from expeditionary airfields ashore. NAS Fort Lauderdale was the home base for Flight 19, the five TBM Avenger aircraft that disappeared in December 1945, leading in part to the notoriety of the Bermuda Triangle.

NAS Fort Lauderdale was closed on October 1, 1946 and transferred to county control, becoming Broward County International Airport.

Commercial flights to Nassau began on June 2, 1953, and domestic flights began in 1958, operated by Eastern Air Lines, National Airlines, and Northeast Airlines. In 1959, the airport opened its first permanent terminal building and assumed its current name.

Operations at FLL never grew along with Broward County's population. Passenger traffic reached 100 in 1969 and 10,000 in 1994. Low-cost traffic propelled the airport's growth in the 1990s, with Southwest opening its base in 1996, Spirit in 1999, and JetBlue in 2001. Spirit made FLL a hub in 2002, and in 2003, JetBlue made FLL a focus city.

During the 2005 hurricane season, FLL was affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma. Katrina struck as a Category 1 and caused minor damage, however the airport was closed for about a 48 hour period. However, when Hurricane Wilma made landfall in October roof damage was reported along with broken windows, damaged jetways, and destroyed canopies. The airport was closed for a period of 5 days. Hurricane Wilma was a Category 2 when its center passed to the west of FLL.

Beginning February 2007, the airport initiated user fees to all users, including private aircraft. It is one of a handful of airports to administer fees to private pilots. A minimum charge of $10 is assessed to private aircraft which land at the airport.

The airport has been used by filmmakers as a location shot numerous times, the most famous of these being scenes from Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise.

Facilities and aircraft

Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport covers an area of 1,380 acres (558 ha) and has three runways:[2]

In 2003, plans were started to expand the facility to meet increasing demand. Proposed improvements include an extension of runway 9R/27L to accommodate larger air carrier jet aircraft,[5] construction and modifications to the airport's taxiway system to provide for increased speed, improved inter-terminal passenger movement and extensive terminal upgrades. As of April 25, 2006 the master plan for this expansion was being updated for a second time. Concerns and complaints by nearby communities about increased noise from larger jet aircraft, along with concerns about buyout requirements, have delayed construction that is expected to keep Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport viable through 2020.[6]

On June 5, 2007, Broward County commissioners voted six to three in favor of extending the southern 9R/27L runway. The proposal looks to extend the runway to over 8,000 ft (2,400 m). over a five year period. Currently, the plan is being sent for approval by the FAA.[7]

Gulfstream International Airlines has its headquarters in Suite 201 of the 1100 Lee Wagener Blvd building.[8][9] When Chalk's International Airlines existed, its headquarters was on the grounds of the airport in an unincorporated area.[10]

Terminals

Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport has four terminals. Terminal 1, commonly referred to as "The New Terminal," opened in stages between 2001 and 2003. The other three terminals were constructed in the mid-1980s as part of a $263 million construction project. Terminal 4, commonly referred to as the International Terminal, was inaugurated by a Concorde visit in 1983.

Terminal 1 - New Terminal
  • Terminal 1 has two concourses (B & C) and 18 gates.
  • United Airlines operates a United Club in Concourse C, which opened with the new Terminal in 2002 as a Continental Airlines Presidents Club.
Terminal 2
  • Terminal 2 has one concourse (D) and nine gates.
  • Delta Air Lines operates a Sky Club here - one of six clubrooms in the state of Florida.
  • This Terminal is only used by Delta, Delta Connection, Condor and Air Canada.
Terminal 3 - Main Terminal
  • Terminal 3 has two concourses (E & F) and 20 gates.
Terminal 4 - International Terminal
  • Terminal 4 has one concourse (H) and 10 gates.
  • Note: Terminal 4 handles all non-precleared international arrivals, in addition to the departures listed in the table.
  • International arrival gates are H2, H4, H6, H8, H9, and H10.
  • Commuter airlines use gate "J" which is on the lower level adjacent to recheck.

Airlines and destinations

Scheduled flights

Airlines Destinations Terminal/Concourse
Air Canada Montréal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson
Seasonal: Ottawa
2-D
Air Sunshine Guantanamo Bay 4-J
Air Transat Seasonal: Halifax [begins March 18, 2012], Montréal-Trudeau, Quebec City, Toronto-Pearson 4-H
AirTran Airways Atlanta, Baltimore, Columbus (OH), Harrisburg, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, San Juan [begins May 24, 2012]
Seasonal: Akron/Canton, Allentown/Bethlehem, Lexington (KY)
1-C[11]
Allegiant Air Bangor, Greenville (SC), Huntington (WV), Knoxville, Lexington, Plattsburgh (NY) 1-B
American Airlines Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, Port-au-Prince 3-E
Avianca Bogotá 4-H
Bahamasair Freeport, Nassau 3-E
CanJet Seasonal: Halifax, Montréal-Trudeau, Quebec City, Toronto-Pearson 3-E
Caribbean Airlines Kingston, Montego Bay, Port of Spain 4-H
Condor Frankfurt 2-D
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, New York-LaGaurdia
Seasonal: Salt Lake City
2-D
Delta Connection operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines Tallahassee 2-D
Frontier Airlines Denver 1-B
Frontier Airlines operated by Republic Airlines Seasonal: Milwaukee 1-B
JetBlue Airways Austin, Boston, Buffalo, Cancún, Hartford/Springfield, Kingston [Begins April 30, 2012], Los Angeles, Nassau, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Newburgh, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, San Francisco, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Washington-Dulles, Washington-National, White Plains
Charter: Havana
3-F
Southwest Airlines Albany, Austin, Baltimore, Buffalo, Chicago-Midway, Denver, Hartford/Springfield, Houston-Hobby, Jacksonville, Kansas City , Las Vegas, Long Island/Islip, Manchester (NH) [begins January 7], Milwaukee [begins January 7], Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix,[12] Providence, Raleigh/Durham, St. Louis, Tampa 1-B
LAN Colombia Bogota [ends January 31] 4-H
Spirit Airlines Aguadilla, Armenia, Aruba, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Bogotá, Boston, Cancún, Cartagena, Charleston (WV), Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Guatemala City, Kingston, Latrobe (PA), Lima, Los Angeles, Managua, Medellin, Montego Bay, Myrtle Beach, Nassau, New York-LaGuardia, Niagara Falls, Orlando, Panama City, Plattsburgh (NY), Port-au-Prince, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San José de Costa Rica, San Juan, San Pedro Sula, San Salvador (Bahamas), San Salvador, Santiago de los Caballeros, Santo Domingo, Tampa, Toluca, Washington-National
Seasonal: Punta Cana
4-H
Sunwing Airlines Seasonal: Montréal-Trudeau, Quebec City, Toronto-Pearson 3-F
Thomas Cook Canada operated by Jazz Air Seasonal: Toronto-Pearson 3-F
United Airlines Chicago-O'Hare, Cleveland, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark
Seasonal: Denver
1-C
United Express operated by Gulfstream International Airlines Andros Town, Freeport, Governor's Harbour, Great Exuma Island, Key West, Marsh Harbour, Nassau, New Bight, North Eleuthera, Tallahassee
Seasonal: South Bimini, Tampa, Treasure Cay
1-C
US Airways Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Washington-National 3-E
Virgin America Los Angeles, San Francisco 1-C
Vision Airlines Fort Walton Beach, Freeport, Louisville 1-B
WestJet Montréal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson
Seasonal: Halifax, Ottawa, Quebec City
3-E

Charter flights

Airlines Destinations
JetBlue Airways Havana
Pet Airways Denver-Broomfield, Los Angeles-Hawthorne, Chicago-Midway, Omaha-Eppley, New York City-Farmingdale, Atlanta-Peachtree Dekalb, Phoenix-Mesa

Top destinations

Busiest Domestic Routes from FLL (October 2010 - September 2011)[13]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Atlanta, GA 1,134,000 AirTran, Delta, Spirit
2 New York, NY (LGA) 730,000 Delta, JetBlue, Spirit
3 New York, NY (JFK) 568,000 American, Delta, JetBlue
4 Newark, NJ 487,000 JetBlue, United
5 Detroit, MI 366,000 Delta, Spirit
6 Charlotte, NC 350,000 US Airways
7 Boston, MA 348,000 JetBlue, Spirit
8 Dallas/Fort Worth, TX 324,000 American, Spirit
9 Philadelphia, PA 294,000 Southwest, US Airways
10 Chicago, IL 301,000 American, Spirit, United

Cargo carriers

GA overcrowding reliever facility

See Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport

Ground transport

FLL is served by Broward County Transit bus Route 1 which offers connecting service through the Central Terminal, and also service to Aventura, in Miami-Dade County. Rail service between Miami and West Palm Beach is provided by Tri-Rail commuter rail service at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport via Tri-Rail shuttle. The airport also offers airport parking and operates a consolidated rental car facility which can be accessed from Terminal 1 by a short walk and from the other terminals by a free shuttle bus service.

Accidents and incidents

On May 18, 1972, an Eastern Air Lines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 had its landing gear collapse and tail section separate during landing. The aircraft then caught fire but all passengers and crew were able to safely evacuate.[14]

On January 1, 1975 Douglas C-47A N9BC of Air O'Hare ditched off Fort Lauderdale. The aircraft was on a flight from Grand Bahama International Airport, Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport when the starboard propeller oversped and had to be feathered. The port engine then overheated and lost power. All three people on board survived.[15]

On April 23, 1980, Douglas C-47B N709Z of Florida Preferred Equity crashed near Dania, Florida when it stalled whilst a go-around was performed. The aircraft was on a private passenger flight from South Bimini Airport, Bahamas,[16] to Fort Lauderdale International Airport. One of the eight people on board was severely injured.[17]

On August 2, 1985, Delta Air Lines Flight 191 originated at Fort Lauderdale, en route to Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles. Wind shear and pilot error caused the aircraft to crash upon landing Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

References

  1. ^ a b c 2010 North American Final Rankings. Airports Council International. May 28, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c FAA Airport Master Record for FLL (Form 5010 PDF), effective 2010-09-23
  3. ^ "Zoning Map." City of Dania Beach. Retrieved on May 12, 2010.
  4. ^ "Fort Lauderdale, FL: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. May 2011. http://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?pn=1&Airport=FLL. 
  5. ^ Broward County - Airport
  6. ^ Broward County - Airport
  7. ^ WSVN-TV - Local News - Broward Commissioners vote in favor of FLL runway expansion
  8. ^ "Contact Us." Gulfstream International Airlines. Retrieved on December 17, 2011. "1100 Lee Wagener Blvd, Suite 201 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315."
  9. ^ "Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport > Business > Tenant Directory." Broward County. Retrieved on December 17, 2011. "1100 Lee Wagener Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL33315"
  10. ^ "Administration." Chalk's International Airlines. March 31, 2004. Retrieved on December 17, 2011. "Chalk’s International Airlines 704 SW 34th Street Ft Lauderdale, Fl. 33315"
  11. ^ [1]
  12. ^ [2]
  13. ^ "Fort Lauderdale, FL: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. May 2011. http://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?pn=1&Airport=FLL. 
  14. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 N8961E Fort Lauderdale International Airport, FL". Aviation Safety Network. http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720518-1. 
  15. ^ "N9BC Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19750101-0. Retrieved 17 August 2010. 
  16. ^ "N709Z Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19800423-0. Retrieved 24 July 2010. 
  17. ^ "NTSB Identification: MIA80FA058". National Transportation Safety Board. http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=32186&key=0. Retrieved 24 July 2010. 

External links

Miami portal
Aviation portal