Airports

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Updated April 18, 2013

Runway Designation Change due to Magnetic Variation

Runway 9L/27R at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL) will be re-designated Runway 10L/28R the evening of May 1, 2013 due to magnetic variation changes. While repainting the new 10L/28R designations on the old runway 9L/27R, FLL will utilize Runway 13/31 for both arrivals and departures. The runway designation change will be reflected in the May 2, 2013 charting cycle so when it reopens after painting, all clearances and approaches will match the 10L/28R designation.

FLL Airport Construction

On Tuesday, May 3, 2011, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) began significant runway construction projects that will continue until September 2014.

Review a map of the construction phases (2.81 MB, PDF)

All closures effective April 17th will be depicted on a new product called "Airport Construction Notices". These notices and NOTAMS will be available at the Digital NOTAM Web Site. As construction progresses and closures change, visit the web site for the latest Airport Construction Notices and NOTAMs.

A Pilot Alert was issued on September 12, 2012 for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in the wake of numerous runway incursions by pilots entering runway 13/31 at midfield without the proper clearance. Review the Alert (330 KB, PDF)

Runway 9R/27L Construction

Phase One (April 17, 2012 – May 6, 2013)

Phase One will begin on April 17, 2012. The project is scheduled to be completed on September 18, 2014. When completed, the airport will have two 8000’ plus parallel runways which will enable increased operations in the future.

Runway 9R/27L will close for complete demolition and reconstruction of the runway including a significant extension to the runway. Taxiway infrastructure changes will occur in the center and south portion of the airfield.

Runway 9R/27L will be redesignated Runway 10R/28L at the end of Phase One to correct for magnetic variation.
From April, 2012 to May, 2013 operations will be conducted on both Runway 9L and Runway 13. During west operations, only Runway 27R will be in use.
Note: Runway 13/31 and Runway 9L/27R cross each other on the west end of the airport resulting in a more complex air traffic control operation.
Runway 9L/27R will be redesignated Runway 10L/28R during April/May, 2013.

During Phase One, the primary runway at FLL will be 9L/27R with use of 13/31 during peak times. Expect an east operation, arriving and departing runway 9L, for the majority of the time. During peak times some arrivals will be moved to Runway 13.

Phase Two (May 2013 – September 2014)

On May 6, 2013, Runway 13/31 will be closed and decommissioned and significant modifications to the taxiway infrastructure will begin.

During Phase Two, the only operational runway on the field will be 10L/28R. Arrival and departure rates will be reduced due to a single runway operation.

On September 18, 2014, construction of the south parallel Runway 10R/28L will be completed with a scheduled and operations will begin.

Operational Impact

Phase One (April 17, 2012 – May 6, 2013): Arrival & Departure Rates with Runways 9L/27R & 13/31 Operational

VMC conditions East Operation: Arrival rate 32 / Departure rate 36
VMC conditions West Operation: Arrival rate 24 / Departure rate 24
IMC conditions East Operation: Arrival rate 32 / Departure rate 32
IMC conditions West Operation: Arrival rate 24 / Departure rate 24
Reduced arrival and departure rates are expected due to the closure to Runway 9R/27L. Traffic Management Initiatives (TMI) such as GAAP ground delay programs are possible which will increase the potential for arrival delays. When a GAAP ground delay program is in place, IFR operators can expect to receive an Expected Departure Clearance Time (EDCT) when obtaining their clearance for flights to FLL.
Filing flight plans early, so they reach the FAA system well in advance, is highly recommend and may reduce the chance of significant delays. Most flight plan service providers are able to input flight plans into the FAA system in advance.
Departure delays are also possible during times of peak demand. Additional TMIs such as miles-in-trail, minutes-in-trail, metering, holding and ground stops are possible during the construction period.

Phase Two (May 2013 – September 2014): Arrival & Departure Rates with single Runway 10L/28R Operational

VMC/IMC conditions East Operation: Arrival rate 28 / Departure rate 28
VMC/IMC conditions West Operation: Arrival rate 24 / Departure rate 24
Reduced arrival and departure rates are expected due to the single runway operation. Traffic Management Initiatives (TMI) such as Unified Ground Delay Programs (UDP) are possible which will increase the potential for arrival delays. When a UDP ground delay program is in place, IFR operators can expect to receive an Expected Departure Clearance Time (EDCT) when obtaining their clearance for flights to FLL.
Filing flight plans early, so they reach the FAA system well in advance, is highly recommend and may reduce the chance of significant delays. Most flight plan service providers are able to input flight plans into the FAA system in advance.
Departure delays are also possible during times of peak demand. Additional TMIs such as miles-in-trail, minutes-in-trail, metering, holding and ground stops are possible during the construction period.

To Minimize Possible Delays, Pilots Should Consider:

File flight plans no later than early morning the day of your operation to reduce the possibility of additional delays associated with "pop up" flights.
Adjust schedules to avoid peak demand times at FLL

Recommendations for VFR operators:

If operating VFR into FLL, expect airborne delays including the possibility of lengthy airborne holding during peak arrival/departure periods.

Be prepared to hold safely in the congested airspace surrounding FLL
Remain outside Class C (FLL) and Class B (MIA) Airspace
Review taxi routes prior to aircraft movement
Review NOTAMs and airport construction information

Pilot Alerts

Visit the Broward County Aviation Department web site for more information.