Ruth Haines
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a major airport located in Broward County, Florida, United States. The airport is located roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami. The airport was officially opened on May 1, 1929, as Merle Fogg Field, with two criss-cross unpaved runways. Today, the airport is the 21st busiest in the United States, serving over 33 million passengers in 2023 and employing more than 29,000 people in the Fort Lauderdale area.
| 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) |
| Year opened | 1929 |
| Year of most recent terminal construction | 2023 |
| Number of terminals | 4 |
| Number of gates | 55 |
| Number of concourses | 6 |
| Number of passengers in 2023 | 35,115,485 |
| Number of passengers in 2017 | 179,023 |
| Aircraft operations in 2017 | 490 per day |
| Aircraft based at the airport | 909 |
| Number of employees | 29,000+ |
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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
- It is located in Broward County, Florida, roughly 3 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale
- The airport is one of the busiest in the United States, with over 35 million passengers in 2023
- There are currently four terminals, with Terminal 5 under construction and set for completion by mid-2026
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 purchased an abandoned nine-hole golf course that had been destroyed by the 1926 Miami hurricane for $1,200 (approximately $22,000 in 2025) in 1928. Initially, the airport featured two criss-cross unpaved runways.
During World War II, the airport was commissioned by the United States Navy and renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. The runways were paved, and a control tower was constructed. Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale served as a base for refitting civil airliners for military service before they were transported across the Atlantic to Europe and North Africa. It later became a primary training facility for Naval Aviators and enlisted naval air crewmen operating the Grumman TBF and TBM Avenger for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Over the years, the airport has undergone significant expansion and development. By 1986, a new terminal complex, including Terminals 2, 3, and 4, was constructed to replace the 1959 terminal. The expansion also involved shifting U.S. Route 1 and the Florida East Coast Railway to the east to accommodate the airport's growing infrastructure. The airport currently consists of four terminals and handles over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations.
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport is a significant aviation hub, serving as a primary airport for the Fort Lauderdale region and surrounding areas. It is the second busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area and is ranked among the top 40 busiest airports globally. The airport is easily accessible via various transportation options, including bus, rail, taxi, and shuttle services, connecting it to nearby cities and towns.
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The airport was renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale during World War II
Fort Lauderdale Airport, officially known as Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, first opened in 1929 as Merle Fogg Field, with two criss-cross unpaved runways. At the beginning of World War II, the airport was commissioned by the United States Navy and renamed Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. The US 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 to Europe and North Africa.
NAS Fort Lauderdale became a primary training base for Naval Aviators and enlisted naval air crewmen, operating the Grumman TBF and TBM Avenger for the US Navy and Marine Corps. The base was home to Flight 19, a group of five TBM Avengers that disappeared in December 1945, an incident that contributed to the Bermuda Triangle's notoriety.
The airport has continued to expand and develop since World War II. Today, it is a major hub airport, serving as a base for Silver Airways and accommodating over 35 million passengers in 2023. The airport has four terminals, providing both domestic and international flights to around 135 destinations.
Broward County officials broke ground on the airport's newest terminal, Terminal 5, in October 2023. The $404 million facility is expected to be completed by mid-2026 and will offer additional gates, check-in and baggage areas, security screening, and retail and food services.
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It is located in Broward County, Florida, roughly 3 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Airport, officially known as Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, is located in Broward County, Florida, roughly 3 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale. The airport is situated off Interstate 595, Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, Florida State Road A1A, and Florida State Road 5. It is surrounded by the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach. Broward County Route 1 connects the airport to various locations within Fort Lauderdale.
The airport is a major hub, serving commercial traffic and ranking as the 21st busiest airport in the United States. It is also one of the top 40 busiest airports globally, having served approximately 33 million passengers in 2023 and employing over 29,000 people in the Fort Lauderdale area. Fort Lauderdale Airport offers over 100 nonstop flights to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean and Latin America, and serves as a base for Silver Airways. It is a focus city for JetBlue and an operating base for Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines.
The airport has four terminals, providing various amenities such as shops, restaurants, lounges, airline clubs, car rental services, a children's play area, a business centre, and free Wi-Fi. Terminal 1, the newest terminal, features 18 gates and three concourses (A, B, and C), with a total of 23 boarding gates. Terminal 2, also known as the Delta Terminal, has 9 gates and Concourse D. Terminal 3 offers two concourses (E and F) with a combined 20 gates, while Terminal 4 is the international terminal.
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport has undergone several expansions and developments over the years. The current terminal complex, including Terminals 2, 3, and 4, was built by 1986 to replace the 1959 terminal. In 2023, construction began on Terminal 5, a $404 million project that will add five new domestic gates, check-in and baggage areas, security screening, and retail and food services. The airport is also undergoing other expansion projects, including airside terminal connections and the reconstruction of the Palm Garage, with plans for an adjacent on-site hotel and conference centre.
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The airport is one of the busiest in the United States, with over 35 million passengers in 2023
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. It is easily accessible by bus, taxi, train, and car.
The airport is categorized as a major hub airport that serves commercial traffic, with over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations. It has become an intercontinental gateway since the late 1990s and is the primary airport for the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton areas. It also serves as a secondary airport for parts of Miami and areas north of Boca Raton.
In 2023, Fort Lauderdale Airport registered a total of 35,115,485 passengers, employing more than 29,000 people in the Fort Lauderdale area. The airport has four terminals (T1, T2, T3, and T4) with various amenities, including restaurants, lounges, shops, airline and airport member clubs, and a children's play area.
Several expansion projects are underway or planned for the airport, including the construction of Terminal 5, which began in October 2023 and is set for completion by mid-2026. The airport is also reconstructing the Palm Garage and expanding Terminal 3, with plans to add an on-site hotel and conference center. An elevated light rail service connecting the airport to the Broward County Convention Center and Port Everglades has also been proposed.
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There are currently four terminals, with Terminal 5 under construction and set for completion by mid-2026
Fort Lauderdale Airport, officially known as Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, is a major airport located in Broward County, Florida, United States. It is roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles (34 km) north of Miami. The airport currently has four terminals: T1, T2, T3, and T4. Terminal 2 is also known as the Delta terminal, and Terminal 4 is the International Terminal. Terminal 5 is currently under construction, with Broward County officials having held a groundbreaking ceremony on October 9, 2023. The new terminal will feature five new domestic gates, check-in and baggage areas, security screening, and retail and food services. It is set for completion by mid-2026 and will connect to T4 and the Cypress parking garage through pedestrian bridges.
The airport is one of the busiest in the United States, serving as a hub for several airlines, including Silver Airways, JetBlue, Allegiant Air, and Spirit Airlines. It offers over 100 nonstop flights to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean and Latin America. With over 700 daily flights to 135 domestic and international destinations, the airport has become an intercontinental gateway. It serves as a primary airport for the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton areas, and a secondary airport for parts of Miami and areas north of Boca Raton.
The history of Fort Lauderdale Airport dates back to the late 1920s when World War I aviator Merle Fogg purchased an abandoned nine-hole golf course. The airport officially opened as Merle Fogg Field on May 1, 1929, with two criss-cross unpaved runways. 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 used for refitting civil airliners for military service and later became a training base for Naval Aviators.
Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations. The current terminal complex, including Terminals 2, 3, and 4, was built by 1986 to replace the 1959 terminal. The airport has continued to develop its facilities, with ongoing and planned projects aimed at enhancing the airport's infrastructure. These projects include the construction of airside terminal connections, the expansion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, and the addition of new concessions and seating areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Fort Lauderdale Airport, officially known as Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, was opened on May 1, 1929, as Merle Fogg Field.
The Fort Lauderdale Airport has four terminals: T1, T2, T3, and T4.
The Fort Lauderdale Airport registered a total of 35,115,485 passengers in 2023.
