Southwest Adds International Gates at FLL.
12-10-2013, 08:58 PM
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Southwest Adds International Gates at FLL.
Travelers using Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport soon will get a slew of international destinations to pick from as the Southwest Airlines terminal begins a massive, $300 million makeover.
Once complete, the renovated Terminal 1 will have five new gates for international flights. The makeover also includes a new security checkpoint and a concessions hall that will connect to the existing concourses.
Construction on the project should begin in late 2014 and be completed by 2017, said Broward County Aviation Director Kent George.
Southwest, the airport's largest carrier, plans to add 25 international flights a day to the Caribbean and South America to the 70 domestic flights that it operates daily out of Fort Lauderdale. The airline will to continue to operate out of the terminal during construction.
The county is backing the nearly $300 million terminal makeover but Southwest will manage and construct the entire project.
"This is a partnership with Southwest," said George, who said the county will be extensively involved in the project. "This is a significant step forward for the community and for providing additional air service both domestically and internationally."
Southwest did not return request for comment Tuesday regarding the new terminal.
The county is paying for the project through airline fees: No taxpayer dollars or federal or state funds will be used for the new terminal, said George.
But the county also plans to make money, projecting that an additional 1 million passengers will travel through the airport each year, generating an additional $25 million in revenue from airline landing fees, concessions, rental cars and more. Currently, about 23 million people fly in and out of the airport each year.
"I'm ecstatic that Southwest Airlines has chosen us," said Broward Mayor Barbara Sharief. "These airlines can go anywhere — this is a phenomenal partnership and deal."
George said the gates at the new concourse will be "swing gates" that can be used for international or domestic travel.
"They'll be capable of doing both — it's more flexible. That way we're not towing one airplane from one end to the other end," said George.
More international travelers means more money will also be spent locally in the stores, shops and restaurants, bringing in more than $300 million annually, according to the county's estimate.
"Having more access to these countries is going to enhance us, not only from a tourist standpoint … but also we'll see increased trade," said Commissioner Dale Holness.
The new terminal project is part of a $2 billion overhaul of the airport that includes improvements to Terminals 2 and 3, major renovations to Terminal 4, and the construction of a new runway which should be complete by September of next year.
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport overhauls terminal to add international travel - Sun Sentinel
Once complete, the renovated Terminal 1 will have five new gates for international flights. The makeover also includes a new security checkpoint and a concessions hall that will connect to the existing concourses.
Construction on the project should begin in late 2014 and be completed by 2017, said Broward County Aviation Director Kent George.
Southwest, the airport's largest carrier, plans to add 25 international flights a day to the Caribbean and South America to the 70 domestic flights that it operates daily out of Fort Lauderdale. The airline will to continue to operate out of the terminal during construction.
The county is backing the nearly $300 million terminal makeover but Southwest will manage and construct the entire project.
"This is a partnership with Southwest," said George, who said the county will be extensively involved in the project. "This is a significant step forward for the community and for providing additional air service both domestically and internationally."
Southwest did not return request for comment Tuesday regarding the new terminal.
The county is paying for the project through airline fees: No taxpayer dollars or federal or state funds will be used for the new terminal, said George.
But the county also plans to make money, projecting that an additional 1 million passengers will travel through the airport each year, generating an additional $25 million in revenue from airline landing fees, concessions, rental cars and more. Currently, about 23 million people fly in and out of the airport each year.
"I'm ecstatic that Southwest Airlines has chosen us," said Broward Mayor Barbara Sharief. "These airlines can go anywhere — this is a phenomenal partnership and deal."
George said the gates at the new concourse will be "swing gates" that can be used for international or domestic travel.
"They'll be capable of doing both — it's more flexible. That way we're not towing one airplane from one end to the other end," said George.
More international travelers means more money will also be spent locally in the stores, shops and restaurants, bringing in more than $300 million annually, according to the county's estimate.
"Having more access to these countries is going to enhance us, not only from a tourist standpoint … but also we'll see increased trade," said Commissioner Dale Holness.
The new terminal project is part of a $2 billion overhaul of the airport that includes improvements to Terminals 2 and 3, major renovations to Terminal 4, and the construction of a new runway which should be complete by September of next year.
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport overhauls terminal to add international travel - Sun Sentinel
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