From a hurricane-ravaged golf course to a major international aviation hub
In short: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport began as a humble nine-hole golf course destroyed by the 1926 Miami hurricane. Today, it stands as a critical intercontinental gateway, having evolved from a World War II naval training base into a bustling hub that connects millions of travelers to the world.
The site’s transformation began in 1928 when aviator Merle Fogg purchased the ruined golf course for $1,200. Officially opening as Merle Fogg Field in 1929, the facility featured two unpaved runways. Its strategic importance surged during World War II, when the U.S. Navy commissioned it as a training base for pilots flying the Grumman TBF and TBM Avenger. This era left a lasting mark on aviation lore, as the base served as the home for the infamous Flight 19, whose disappearance in 1945 contributed to the enduring mystery of the Bermuda Triangle.
Following the war, the airport transitioned to county control and began its slow climb toward commercial prominence. While it handled only 48 daily operations in 1966, the airport expanded significantly throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The arrival of low-cost carriers like Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue turned the airport into a major hub for budget-conscious travelers. By the 2010s, it attracted international heavyweights like Emirates and Norwegian Air Shuttle, though shifting airline strategies and regional competition—particularly from Miami International Airport—have seen these services fluctuate over time.
Today, the airport is undergoing a $3 billion master plan to modernize its infrastructure. This ambitious project includes the construction of a new Terminal 5, an intermodal center, and an automated people mover system, all aimed at enhancing capacity by the end of the decade. As the region prepares for the 2026 World Cup, the airport remains a vital, evolving artery for South Florida, balancing its history as a military training ground with its current status as a high-traffic commercial gateway.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
- Also: Wikidata — Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood · CC0
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