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,
We hope the new year is off to a good start as it moves along at a fast clip. With January essentially over, 2026 continues its momentum with popular events in February, such as the Super Bowl, St. Valentine’s Day, and the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend, all occasions for fun times with friends and family. In South Florida, sports fans are in for an extra treat this year as several high-profile competitions are planned. Already, our region has hosted the College Football Playoff national championship and a National Hockey League (NHL) Winter Classic game, and soon the roar of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and the cheers of enthusiastic FIFA World Cup soccer fans will take center stage. Before then, avid local fans will flock to at-home games for the Florida Panthers as our hometown hockey team seeks a third run for an NHL championship. Let’s go, Cats! At FLL, we look forward to welcoming fans as they fly from domestic and international destinations to enjoy these sporting events in our backyard.
The recent chilly weather saw us bundling up in South Florida, so as the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil readies to emerge from his burrow on February 2, will his shadow appear, predicting a longer winter, or will spring arrive early instead? Either way, South Floridians will be prepared.
Before the new year sprints away, however, here are some key 2025 year-end highlights:
Holiday Activity: For the Christmas/New Year's Day holiday period of December 20 to January 5, FLL served roughly 2 million passengers. Over the 17 days, ridesharing was in high demand, averaging 10 rides per minute, with higher volumes on peak days. Year-over-year, there was a 6% increase in available airline seats, 7% jump in flights, and 17% uptick in ground transportation operations overall.
Industry Day: Following the November 14 event, Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD) officials hosted dozens of one-on-one meetings over three days in December with primary contractors, designers, architects, and other key professionals interested in learning more about key Master Plan projects on tap and providing feedback on their solicitation process.
Passenger Traffic: For 2025, FLL served approximately 32.2 million travelers. While traffic declined 8.5% from 2024, to achieve this travel volume is noteworthy amid ongoing operational and financial challenges at select airlines.
We can’t wait to share many new journeys together in 2026.
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| | Interactive robot display | | |
FLL is returning as a sponsor and participant in IGNITE Broward, an annual festival featuring over 25 interactive light-and sound-based installations across four locations in Broward County. This year’s fifth edition runs from February 13-22, offering 10 nights of free immersive art experiences, according to presenter, Broward Cultural Division.
At FLL, five art installations (Aeonium prototype sculpture, Mycelia prototype sculpture, Quantum Jungle, Interactive ZipOdes, and PCC-3333: Will Robots Dream of World Peace?) are on display until March 31 as part of IGNITE. Airport travelers, visitors, and employees can view these artworks in select locations across the four terminals. Access to two post-security installations, however, is restricted to ticketed passengers and badged employees only.
| | Honing knowledge and expertise | | |
Congratulations to Gil Zavlodaver, BCAD’s Airport Manager- Emergency Management (EM), for attaining the Professional Emergency Manager certification from the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA). The FEPA certification recognizes dedicated, experienced emergency managers with advanced and diverse knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform effectively within a comprehensive EM program.
Zavlodaver joined BCAD in February 2023 as Senior EM Specialist, then was promoted to his current role in March 2025. He previously held EM positions with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in Southern California. He holds a master’s degree in emergency services administration from California State University (Long Beach) and other certifications.
| | | | On January 26, David Appleby joined BCAD as Enterprise Assistant Director of Business - Air Service. Appleby brings more than 25 years of experience in international aviation and air service development to this new role. His professional experience includes working with airlines, airports, and destination partners across the Americas and beyond to develop new routes, grow existing services, and build long-term partnerships. Appleby started his aviation career at US Airways in 2001, and has lived and worked in the United Kingdom, USA, and Mexico. He speaks fluent Spanish and is proficient in French. | | |
| To mark its 30th anniversary serving travelers from Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Airlines employees on January 22 decorated its ticket and check-in counters at FLL to celebrate the occasion. The airline began operations at the airport on January 22,1996. In 2025, Southwest was FLL’s fourth-largest carrier with 9.4% of passenger traffic market share. | | Celebrating long-term partnership |
| JetBlue Airways hosted a special welcome for the Florida Panthers Board of Directors at FLL on January 16 as members prepared to depart to Washington, DC. The airline’s celebration of its partnership with the Broward County-based NHL team included light refreshments and the appearance of their mascot Stanley C. Panther, who mingled with travelers and posed for photographs. Since 2009, JetBlue has been the official domestic airline of the Florida Panthers. | | Business leaders visit FLL | | On January 15, BCAD hosted the Leadership Broward Class 44 participants to a tour of FLL for the program’s Transportation & Tourism Day. The behind-the-scenes tour included visits to the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting station, Airport Operations Control Center, wildlife deterrent demonstration, and a group photo on the airfield. | | Exploring economic relations |
| On January 9, FLL had the pleasure of welcoming Christopher Skeete, Québec's Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, and his delegation for a meet and greet with Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen and our CEO/Director of Aviation Mark Gale. Accompanying Skeete for this introductory meeting were Catherine Cano, Québec's chief representative in Miami; Daniel Silverman, Investissement Québec International’s vice president, foreign direct investment; and Benjamin Fockenier, political advisor – Office of the Minister. Also in attendance was FLL Chief Administrative Officer Celina Saucedo. | | Storefronts showcase new name |
| Airport concessionaire Paradies Lagardère recently rebranded four post-security retail stores in Terminals 3 and 4 with a new name, travel@ease. The stores offer a range of travel necessities, snacks, light bites, beverages, tech accessories, beauty items, apparel, souvenirs, and more. Be sure to check out travel@ease the next time you fly through these terminals. | | |
| The first phase of the FLL Taxiway A Pavement Rehabilitation project was completed in December 2025. Work began in mid-April on the approximately $11 million project, which was finished under budget and ahead of schedule. The project’s scope included rehabilitation of Taxiway A’s asphalt pavement, installation of new drainage piping, edge lights and guidance signs, electrical wiring, and additional lighting installation along a section of the taxiway. | | |
CHECK OUT THE SKY'S THE LIMIT MONTHLY STATS AT FLL.NET |
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FLLylights
Other key updates
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TSA ConfirmID
A new TSA ConfirmID $45 fee option launches Feb. 1 for travelers without a REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.
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Summer Internships
BCAD is accepting applications for the Volunteer Internship Program (VIP) at FLL and North Perry Airport (HWO) through February 27.
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Annual Report in Print
BCAD’s latest annual report is now available in print and features key 2024 highlights for FLL and HWO.
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Holiday Fundraiser
In December, BCAD divisions hosted a silent auction with 12 specialty-themed gift baskets that raised over $1,100 to support the United Way of Broward County.
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Photo of the Month!
Congrats to Erika, a TSA explosives detection canine at FLL, for being selected as the February pin-up pup in the federal agency’s 2026 Canine Calendar.
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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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