Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, or FLL, is an airport in Florida Broward County. The airport has four terminals that serve around 36 million people annually and employ 18 thousand workers (“Broward County Sheriff’s Office”). This paper explores the airside-related environments of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. It researches and assesses FLL’s airfield inspections, security enforcement, air traffic control systems, navigational aids, wildlife management, and environmental impacts.
Airfields and runway inspections are crucial for the proper function of airplanes. In 2018, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is discrepancy-free, meaning it successfully passed airfield inspections, including airfield markings, signs, and runway lights (Meyer). Airfield functionality also depends on the wildlife management of the airport. After The Federal Aviation Regulations inspection, FLL was certified to have satisfactory wildlife control (Meyer). The airport successfully passed examinations and proved that it has sufficient facilities and regulations to ensure airplanes’ functionality.
The security and safety of the passengers are the priority for any airport. BCAD, The Broward County Aviation Department, and BSO, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, provide security inspections at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (“Broward County Sheriff’s Office”). Broward Sheriff’s Office helps prevent incidents, investigates crimes, patrols buildings and parking lots, and helps passengers. It is responsible for managing bomb threats and other critical incidents in the airport. Different offices monitor FLL, ensuring passenger security.
The number of flights across America currently increased compared to the pandemic levels. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that Florida airports are experiencing delays and flight disruptions associated with the rise in flight numbers (Josephs). They decided to increase air traffic controllers and evaluate air traffic in other airports in the state, including FLL. In addition, the airport announced a change in NAVAID or navigational aid facilities. These include “electrical and visual air navigation aids, lights, signs, and associated supporting equipment” (U.S. Department of Transportation 4). FLL evaluates flight delays and disruption occurrences and checks each runway to change light systems or other facilities when necessary.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is responsible for its environmental impacts and has been implementing eco-friendly initiatives lately. In 2018, the airport implemented sustainable projects that allowed the airport to reduce water and energy usage and recycle 95 percent of the construction debris (“Environmental”). In 2020, FLL’s terminal one was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification. Meanwhile, terminal four added water-efficient constructions and started using rainwater and reflective materials for roofs that reduce heat, allowing the use of 40 percent less water and 90 percent less artificial light. The airport has various programs and initiatives that make it sustainable and reduce its environmental influence.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International is a large airport serving millions of people annually. After Federal Aviation Administration’s airfield and runway inspections, the airport was reported to be free of discrepancies (Meyer). The Broward County Aviation Department and Broward Sheriff’s Office are responsible for the security in the airport (“Broward County Sheriff’s Office”). Due to the flight upsurge after the pandemic, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood might face air traffics, so The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the evaluation of the air traffic control systems and increased staffing if necessary (Josephs). According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, some of the runways in the airport announced to change of navigational aids. FLL also controls wildlife and tries to reduce its environmental impact by installing water-efficient constructions and using less artificial light (“Environmental”). Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport successfully manages its airfield facilities, air traffic control systems, navigational aids, and wildlife, provides security enforcement, and implements projects to reduce environmental impacts.
Works Cited
“Broward County Sheriff’s Office.” Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Broward County.
“Environmental.” Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Broward County.
Josephs, Leslie. “FAA to Increase Florida Air Traffic Controllers, Work with Airlines to Avoid More Flight Disruptions in State.” CNBC, 2022.
Meyer, Greg. “Broward County Airports Receive Outstanding Safety Inspections.” News Release, 2018.
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration. Written Re-Evaluation of the June 2008 Final EIS for the Development and Expansion of Runway 9R-27L and Other Associated Airport Projects. 2011. Web.