About the area and the Hotels Near Fort Lauderdale Airport
History
The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was originally a military installation before its civil use. In 1928, the City of Fort Lauderdale gave the U.S. Navy forty acres to build a flight station for dirigibles and seaplanes. The rigid airships from this facility were used in anti-submarine patrols from 1933 until World War II. In 1943, the Navy began constructing a blimp base to support airship operations across the Southeastern United States. The facility was deactivated in 1962 and transferred back to civilian use as Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Facilities
The airport has three separate terminals, which are connected by a free shuttle bus service. Terminal 1 is the only terminal with an air-side connector to Terminal 2. Only Gates B6 through B12 in Terminal 3 are air-side and can be accessed without going through security again if you have already cleared security in Terminal 1 or 2. In addition, Terminal 3 has a separate Federal Inspection Station for International flights.
The airport has one concrete Runway 12/30, which is 9,702 feet long and 150 feet wide, enough to handle all aircraft in service today. The airport also contains two asphalt Runways 8L/26R and 8R/26L, both being 4,000 feet long and 150 feet wide.
Airlines and Destinations
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport serves over 35 million passengers annually, making it one of the top 30 busiest airports in the United States. The airport is a major airline hub for JetBlue Airways and a focus city for Spirit Airlines. In addition to housing many intercontinental and transatlantic flights, Fort Lauderdale is a popular connecting point for air traffic towards Cuba due to the large Cuban immigrant population in South Florida.
Logistics
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is located just six miles northwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 14 miles northeast of Hollywood, FL. Major expressways such as I-95 and Florida Turnpike are easily accessible from the airport. The airport is located only four miles east of Fort Lauderdale’s central business district, which should help to continue revitalizing its neighborhoods and support new development in the area.
Traffic Statistics
The airport handled over 32 million passengers in 2011. On average, more than 150 aircraft arrive or depart each day.
Transportation
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport offers a free shuttle bus service between the three terminals and nearby rental car facilities. The shuttle bus only takes one piece of luggage per person and does not operate after 11:00 pm. Still, it is recommended that any passenger with more than two pieces of luggage be prepared to provide alternative transportation. Taxis and limousines are readily available from the taxi stand at the transportation area of each terminal. However, a trip to downtown Fort Lauderdale will cost approximately $20-$25 one-way. Many hotels provide complimentary shuttle service to their properties for guests, so inquire before requesting a taxi.
Accidents and Incidents
In January of 2009, a UPS Boeing 747-400F crashed just after takeoff from runway 12 due to the cargo shifting to the aircraft’s rear. The impact was severe, and it is believed that all on board have perished.
Hotels Near Fort Lauderdale Airport
The hotels near Fort Lauderdale Airport are some of the best-known hotels in Florida due to their convenience for tourists and business travelers. Several affordable options are located just minutes from the airport, which is excellent news if you have an early morning flight or late evening return flight. The area around the airport is also especially walkable, with numerous restaurants and retail shops in the area, making it a popular choice for travelers looking to make their layover or overnight accommodation an opportunity for sightseeing.
Alternate Airports Near Fort Lauderdale
Miami International Airport (FLL) | Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) –
Miami Executive at NW 42nd Ave & NW 21st St. is a public use airport exclusively for general aviation. It has two asphalt runways: 12/30, 5,000 feet long and 150 feet wide; and 18/36, 2,500 feet long and 100 feet wide. Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport was founded in 1928 by Eldred Rock. Rock was an early aviation pioneer who had served in World War I, earning many medals for distinguished service. He used his plane to fly people between Miami and Opa Locka during the Roaring 20s when Opa-Locka was known as the “Magic City” because it seemed that every third building was a speakeasy.
Conclusion
The airport is a major hub for three airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, and FedEx Express. The airport has grown tremendously in the past decade and has become one of the busiest airports in the country.
