BROWARD COUNTY, FL - As the closing of 2021 nears, officials at Broward County's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), would like to thank the traveling public for their ongoing support during this second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we're grateful for the committed airport employees who have steadfastly worked to maintain and deliver the highest level of customer service to our guests this year. 

For the upcoming Christmas/New Year's Day (NY) holiday season, FLL expects to see approximately 1.4 million passengers over 14 days from Wednesday, December 22, 2021, through Tuesday, January 4, 2022. The average daily passenger count over the two-week period is projected to be 101,425. This year's holiday passenger forecast is about 51 percent higher than the 2020 timeframe when 940,000 travelers were expected to travel through FLL. Pre-pandemic, FLL projected 1.8 million passengers during a similar 14-day Christmas/NY holiday season in 2019.  The busiest days of the 2021 season will be December 23, 27, 30, and January 3, with more than 112,000 travelers daily. 

While the pandemic has continued to present challenges this year, including the emergence of COVID-19 variants like Delta and Omicron, it is encouraging nevertheless to see vaccination rates increasing in the U.S. and overseas. This trend in turn has helped to fuel consumers' appetite for travel. Currently, 61 percent (203.1 million) of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated and about 27 percent (57.1 million) have received booster doses as of December 16, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

"While COVID-19 provided unique twists this year as the pandemic rollercoaster ride drags on, there is still reason for optimism in the aviation industry with travel recovery gaining steady momentum from a year ago," said Mark Gale, FLL's CEO/Director of Aviation. "As such, FLL expects to finish 2021 with approximately 28.3 million travelers, up from 16.5 million in 2020. Looking to 2022, we remain cautiously optimistic there will be opportunities conducive to fully returning airport activity to pre-pandemic levels." 

If you're flying this holiday season, kindly remain vigilant in practicing safety measures that can slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. These precautions include properly wearing a facial covering over your nose and mouth while inside the airport's terminals and Rental Car Center (RCC), which is a federal mandate. Also, washing or sanitizing hands frequently, and maintaining a six-foot distance from others not traveling with you, when possible.  

The Broward County Aviation Department, which operates FLL, is continuing its enhanced sanitization protocols to provide a clean, safe and healthy airport environment as part of our "FLLy Safer, FLLy Smarter, FLLy Better," public confidence campaign.

Rather than just wing it, consider these key tips as you prepare for flight: 

COVID-19 TESTING
Operated by Nomi Health, the COVID-19 testing service at FLL is located pre-security in Terminal 3 near baggage claim in a secluded area accessible curbside from Door 311. The testing site will operate at reduced hours on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25) from 7AM-5PM. Since opening in December 2020, Nomi has administered more than 81,800 tests to ticketed FLL travelers. To make an appointment or get more details on test types and costs, visit fll.net/.

PARKING
Download the free FLL Airport App for information on parking, flights, restaurants, and shops before arriving at the Airport. If you plan to park at FLL, allocate extra time to get here and secure a spot among the parking garage's 11,000-plus spaces, which could fill up during the holidays. Tap into the garages' smart parking technology to find the closest open spot. Then, in the garage driving lanes, look at the monitors mounted to the ceiling for the number of available spaces in each aisle.

Travelers can use SunPass Plus as a convenient way to pay for parking using a SunPass transponder in the Airport's three parking garages. The traveler must use a SunPass Plus lane to enter and exit for the account to be charged. No ticket is required with SunPass Plus entry. FLL offers travelers a variety of parking options in its garages: Long Term Parking is $15 a day, and Short Term Parking, intended for dropping off or picking up passengers, is available for $3 an hour with a maximum daily rate of $36.

FLL's Overflow Parking Lot offers more than 1,000 off-site spaces and will only open if the onsite garages are at full capacity. It is located west of the Airport at 1661 S.W. 40th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315. Take Griffin Road just west of I-95 to Anglers Avenue, turn right (north). Then turn right (east) on Southwest 42nd Street and follow the orange wayfinding signs. A flat rate of $10 per day applies, and only credit card payments are accepted. Parkers should allow additional time when using the Overflow Lot. The free shuttle service to and from the Overflow Lot will have designated stops along the Upper-Level airport roadway between Terminals 1-2, and Terminals 3-4. View the attached parking map at the bottom of the page.

Note: Curbside Valet Parking service remains suspended until further notice during the pandemic.

PICKUP/DROP OFF
The Cell Phone Waiting Area is located under the main entrance roadway to the Airport. As you approach FLL's entrance, stay in the left lanes, follow the sign to All Parking, and bear left. Then follow the signs to the Cell Phone Waiting Area. This road will bring you around the RCC to the Cell Phone Waiting Area. If the free Cell Phone Waiting Area is full, please proceed to our Short Term Parking in the garages, which is available for $3 per hour with a grace period under 20 minutes at no charge. Please remember that the curbside areas are for immediate pickup and drop-off only. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed.

REMINDERS
FLL participates in several expedited security and Customs processing programs, including Simplified Arrival, TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, Mobile Passport, and CLEAR, available in select locations and security checkpoints. Please visit their respective websites to learn more about the programs, how they work, and any associated costs.

If you are a traveler with a disability or have a medical condition, you can plan ahead with TSA Cares or call their toll-free helpline at 1-855-787-2227 to enhance your airport experience.

About Broward's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Airport generated $37.5 billion in economic activity annually and nearly 18,000 direct, local jobs. Despite the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry in 2020, FLL ranked 6th in total passenger traffic recovery and 4th in international traffic recovery amongst U.S. airports. Currently, FLL is one of the fastest-recovering U.S. airports, with passenger traffic approaching 2019 levels. In 2020, the Airport served 16.5 million passengers. FLL is located in Greater Fort Lauderdale in the heart of Florida's Gold Coast. The Aviation Department, FLL's operator, is a self-supporting agency of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners that does not rely on local tax dollars for operations and capital improvements. The department also operates North Perry Airport, a general aviation facility for private and charter aircraft operators. Call 954-359-6100 for more information. For updates on airport programs and services, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit fll.net.

December 17, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Arlene Satchell, Assistant Public Information Officer
Broward County Aviation Department
954-359-6201
asatchell@broward.org