Official Newsletter of Broward County's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport | | |
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Mark E. Gale
CEO/Director of Aviation
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
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Dear Friends,
During February, the Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD) welcomed more good news from our newest U.S. airline partner, Breeze Airways, which announced plans to add eight new routes to its FLL route map in early July. In less than a year since debuting at FLL last November, Breeze has grown its FLL operations from two to 14 routes, including recently added Myrtle Beach, SC, in January and previously announced flights to Pensacola, FL; Savannah, GA; and Huntsville, AL, arriving in May and June.
Other noteworthy February happenings and milestones included JetBlue Airways’ 26th year of operations at FLL and the one-year anniversary of our new rideshare pick-up area for guests arriving at Terminals 3 and 4. The new pick-up area continues to offer an improved ride-sharing experience at FLL while helping to reduce overall terminal roadway congestion.
Meanwhile on February 14, the airport hosted “A Valentine’s Day Serenade”, featuring two FLL Terminal Tunes singers performing romantic and timeless ballads for guests’ enjoyment. Earlier in February, the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, and we’ve had some colder temperatures recently in South Florida. So, perhaps we’ll see more chilly weather here before spring’s debut in late March.
March’s arrival, however, also signals that the popular spring travel season is on the horizon, and at FLL, we expect to see busy terminals and roadways as families, college students, and others fly through our airport. Fort Lauderdale is again popping up in aviation industry and travel surveys as a top spring vacation destination in 2026.
On March 5, FLL will host an overnight aircraft emergency response training exercise, dubbed “Operation Night Owl,” in collaboration with several law enforcement, healthcare, and other key airport partners. Read more about this important activity in the story below.
Travel safely and enjoy a healthy and happy springtime!
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| | Triennial Emergency Training | Honing knowledge and expertise | | |
As FLL’s operator, BCAD will be conducting “Operation Night Owl”, a full-scale aircraft accident exercise on March 5, starting at 8 PM until 12:30 AM on March 6. The triennial emergency response training is mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of the airport's operating certification. The training exercise will simulate a coordinated emergency response involving multiple agencies and partners to test FLL’s response capabilities and overall readiness to handle aircraft accidents. Disaster drills of this type are required every three years as part of the airport's FAA Part 139 Certification. While FLL’s previous full-scale aircraft accident exercise was done in October 2023, the airport conducts other training activities annually to hone its emergency preparedness.
| | Holographic poetry readings | | |
FLL participated in the annual IGNITE Broward Art and Light Festival for the second time to bring some extra artistic glow to the airport experience, in partnership with presenter Broward Cultural Division. The five art installations will continue to light up their terminal locations in unique ways for travelers, visitors, and employees to enjoy through March 31.
So, if you’re passing through FLL soon, take a moment to explore these interactive displays: Aeonium and Mycelia prototype sculptures in Terminal 1 (Baggage Claim), Holo/Voices with Interactive ZipOdes Map in Terminal 2 (Baggage Claim), Quantum Jungle in Terminal 3 (Concourse E-F Connector), and PCC-3333: Will Robots Dream of World Peace? in Terminal 4 (Art Connector walkway). Post-security access restrictions apply for the artwork in Terminals 3 and 4.
| | Recognition for pop-up park | | |
On February 12, the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division presented the Aviation Department with a 2026 Cutting-Edge Award in recognition of its partnership in establishing a temporary pop-up park at FLL in 2025.
The award described the inter-agency collaboration as a “creative alliance in elevating Broward County’s visibility through fresh, engaging approaches that resonate with our community and beyond.”
The pop-up park, which was installed at FLL for Earth Day, was so popular with airport guests that BCAD extended its stay until September for more travelers to enjoy it.
| | Nearly three decades at FLL |
| To mark its 26th anniversary, JetBlue Airways on February 11 decorated select check-in counters at FLL to celebrate the major operational milestone. JetBlue launched operations as an airline on February 11, 2000, with nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport and FLL. In 2025, the carrier was FLL’s second-largest carrier with 20.6% of passenger traffic market share. | | Black History Month spotlight |
| This February, to recognize Black History Month, FLL teamed up with the Old Dillard Museum and its community partners, History Fort Lauderdale, Natif Logistics, and Buckets of Joy, to showcase "Then & Now," a photographic exhibition that takes a thoughtful look at historic Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods. The collection brings to life Fort Lauderdale's rich history and features individuals, businesses, and communities that shaped its cultural identity. The exhibition is currently on view post-security in Terminal 4, Concourse G, near Gate G8. | | Still seeking 2026 members | | |
If you're interested in serving as a member of the new North Perry Airport (HWO) Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for the 2026 term, you may apply at this link.
Visit the Community Engagement page on HWO’s website for more information about the CAC. In October 2025, the Broward County Commission voted to reinstate this airport committee, which had automatically ceased operations in December 2024.
| | Mission of changing lives |
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FLL participated in this year's Challenge Air Fly Day at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on January 31 as a co-sponsor of the event. The Fly Day program seeks to build confidence in children and youth with special needs by giving them the opportunity to experience flight. It also strives to reinforce the charity’s core mission of using aviation to showcase that challenges are “springboards to success, not barriers.”
During the event, Linda Merrill, BCAD’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, shared information about FLL’s accessibility programs. Also in attendance were members of the airport's Access Committee, including Victor Farran, pictured with his granddaughter.
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CHECK OUT THE SKY'S THE LIMIT MONTHLY STATS AT FLL.NET |
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FLLylights
Other key updates
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More Allegiant Service
In February, Allegiant Air launched five new routes from FLL to cities in Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Tennessee.
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Valentine’s Serenade
FLL Terminal Tunes singers performed romantic and timeless ballads to mark St. Valentine’s Day 2026.
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TSA Confirm ID
A new TSA ConfirmID $45 fee option launched in February for travelers without a REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.
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Severe Weather Awareness
From February 1-6, Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week was recognized statewide. View key tips to stay prepared!
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Photo of the Month!
JetBlue’s new Isla del Bluencanto aircraft livery, inspired by Puerto Rico, was spotted recently at FLL.
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Broward County Aviation Department
320 Terminal Drive, Suite 200
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
For questions or story ideas, email the Public Information Office at FLLNews@broward.org.
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