Roberta Aguirre
Fort Lauderdale Airport, officially known as Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, is a major public airport located in Broward County, Florida, United States. The airport was originally opened in 1929 as Merle Fogg Field, with two unpaved runways. During World War II, it was renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale and became a training base for Naval Aviators. In 1946, the airport was transferred to county control and became Broward County International Airport. The airport has since expanded significantly, with four terminals and over 700 daily flights to numerous domestic and international destinations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport |
| Location | Broward County, Florida, United States |
| Distance from downtown Fort Lauderdale | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
| Distance from Miami | 21 miles (34 km) |
| Number of Terminals | 4 |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Year opened | 1929 |
| Year first permanent terminal opened | 1959 |
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What You'll Learn
- Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport opened in 1929 as Merle Fogg Field
- The airport was renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale during World War II
- NAS Fort Lauderdale closed in 1946 and became Broward County International Airport
- The airport's first permanent terminal opened in 1959
- Fort Lauderdale Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport opened in 1929 as Merle Fogg Field
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, located in Broward County, Florida, officially opened on May 1, 1929, as Merle Fogg Field. The airport was established by World War I aviator Merle Fogg, who, in 1928, purchased an abandoned nine-hole golf course that had been destroyed by the 1926 Miami hurricane for $1,200. The airport originally featured two unpaved runways in a criss-cross pattern.
At the onset of World War II, the airport, then known as Merle Fogg Field, was commissioned by the United States Navy and renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale (NAS Fort Lauderdale). During this period, the runways were paved, and a control tower was constructed. NAS Fort Lauderdale initially served as a base for refitting civil airliners for military service before their deployment to Europe and North Africa. The base later became a primary training facility for Naval Aviators and enlisted naval air crewmen operating the Grumman TBM Avenger aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
NAS Fort Lauderdale was also the home base for Flight 19, a group of five TBM Avenger aircraft that vanished in December 1945, an incident that contributed to the Bermuda Triangle's infamy. Following the war, on October 1, 1946, NAS Fort Lauderdale was closed and transferred to Broward County, becoming Broward County International Airport. The airport commenced commercial flights to Nassau in June 1953, and domestic services began in 1958–1959.
In 1959, the airport inaugurated its first permanent terminal building and adopted its current name, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport. By 1966, the airport was handling an average of 48 airline operations daily, a number that increased to 173 by 1972. During the late 1990s, the airport evolved into an intercontinental gateway, offering over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations. Today, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport is the second busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area and a significant hub for airlines like Silver Airways, JetBlue, Allegiant Air, and Spirit Airlines.
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The airport was renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale during World War II
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, located in Broward County, Florida, first opened as Merle Fogg Field on May 1, 1929. The airport was founded by World War I aviator Merle Fogg, who purchased the land for the site in 1928.
At the beginning of World War II, the airport was acquired by the United States Navy and renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale (NAS Fort Lauderdale). During the war, the airport served as a key training base for Naval Aviators and enlisted naval aircrewmen. The base was initially responsible for refitting civil airliners for military service before they were deployed to Europe and North Africa. The Grumman TBF and TBM Avenger aircraft, used by both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, were flown from NAS Fort Lauderdale. The base was also the home of Flight 19, a group of five TBM Avengers that disappeared in December 1945.
NAS Fort Lauderdale played a significant role in the war effort, and its contributions helped lay the foundation for the airport's future development. After the war, on October 1, 1946, the base was closed, and control was transferred to the county, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the airport's history as it transitioned to civilian use.
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NAS Fort Lauderdale closed in 1946 and became Broward County International Airport
Fort Lauderdale Airport, officially known as Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, was built in several stages. The earliest record of the airport's construction dates back to 1928 when World War I aviator Merle Fogg purchased an abandoned nine-hole golf course for $1,200. On May 1, 1929, the airport opened as Merle Fogg Field, with two unpaved runways.
As World War II began, the airport was commissioned by the United States Navy and renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale (NAS Fort Lauderdale). The Navy paved the runways and built a control tower. Initially, the base was used to refit civil airliners for military service before they were transported across the Atlantic. Later, it became a primary training base for Naval Aviators and enlisted naval air crewmen.
NAS Fort Lauderdale played a significant role in the mysterious disappearance of Flight 19 in December 1945. The flight consisted of five TBM Avengers, which vanished without a trace, contributing to the infamy of the Bermuda Triangle.
After the war, on October 1, 1946, NAS Fort Lauderdale closed and was transferred to Broward County's control. It was then renamed Broward County International Airport. Commercial flights to Nassau commenced in June 1953, and domestic flights began in 1958–1959. The airport's first permanent terminal building was constructed in 1959, and it assumed its current name: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport.
Today, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport is a bustling transportation hub located in Broward County, Florida, approximately 3 miles (4.8–5 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of Miami. It is the second busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area, offering over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations. The airport has four terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4) and is a significant gateway for intercontinental travel.
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The airport's first permanent terminal opened in 1959
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (IATA: FLL) is a major public airport located in Broward County, Florida, roughly 3 miles southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles north of Miami. The airport was opened as Merle Fogg Field on May 1, 1929, by World War I aviator Merle Fogg. It was then renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale at the start of World War II when it was commissioned by the United States Navy.
The first permanent terminal, which opened in 1959, was a significant milestone in the airport's history. Before the construction of this terminal, the airport had undergone several name changes and served various purposes, including as a training base for Naval Aviators during World War II. With the opening of the permanent terminal, the airport established its civilian role and began to develop into the major aviation hub it is today.
The 1959 terminal served as the main gateway for passengers travelling through Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport for almost three decades. During this period, the airport grew steadily, with an increasing number of airline operations each year. By 1972, the airport averaged 173 airline operations per day, a significant increase from the 48 daily operations recorded in 1966.
The growth in air traffic and passenger numbers eventually led to the need for expansion and the construction of a new terminal complex. By the mid-1980s, the original terminal was no longer adequate to accommodate the increasing demand for air travel in the region. As a result, the 1959 terminal was replaced by the current terminal complex, which was completed in 1986. This expansion also involved shifting U.S. Route 1 and the Florida East Coast Railway on the east side of the airport to make room for the new terminals.
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Fort Lauderdale Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States
Fort Lauderdale Airport, officially known as Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Located in Broward County, Florida, the airport is roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami. With a busy schedule of over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations, it is an intercontinental gateway and a major hub airport serving commercial traffic.
The airport was built on an abandoned nine-hole golf course purchased by World War I aviator Merle Fogg in 1928. It officially opened as Merle Fogg Field on May 1, 1929, with two unpaved runways. At the start of World War II, it was commissioned by the United States Navy, and the runways were paved, and a control tower was built. After the war, in 1946, the airport was transferred to county control and became Broward County International Airport. Commercial flights to Nassau began in 1953, and in 1958–1959, domestic flights were introduced. The airport's first permanent terminal building was opened in 1959, and it was renamed Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport.
The airport has continued to expand and develop over the years, with the current terminal complex, including Terminals 2, 3, and 4, built by 1986. Low-cost airline traffic grew significantly in the 1990s, with Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue establishing bases at the airport. Fort Lauderdale Airport now consists of four terminals, with various airlines using it as a base or focus city. During 2023, the airport registered a total of 35,115,485 passengers.
The airport's busy status is further evidenced by the ongoing and planned expansion projects. These include the construction of terminal connections, an intermodal centre, a new terminal (Terminal 5), and an automated people mover connecting the terminals, garages, and the intermodal centre. The airport's accessibility is also enhanced by its proximity to major roadways, including Interstate 595, Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, and Florida State Roads. Additionally, the proposed PREMO Light Rail service will further improve connectivity by linking the airport with the Broward County Convention Centre and Port Everglades.
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Frequently asked questions
The Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport was built in 1928 by World War I aviator Merle Fogg. The airport officially opened on May 1, 1929, as Merle Fogg Field.
The airport address is 100 Terminal Dr., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.
The Fort Lauderdale airport has four terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 4.
The airport is located approximately 3 miles (4.8-5km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
