Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is moving closer to a significant capacity milestone, with a newly constructed Terminal 5 slated to open in mid-2026.

What is being built at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport?

A $404 million Terminal 5, spanning roughly 230,000 square feet and housing five domestic boarding gates, is slated to open in mid-2026 as one pillar of a broader modernization effort at South Florida's second-busiest airport. A second major project — a $260 million inter-terminal connector — will link Terminals 1, 2, and 3, completing by late 2027.

  • Terminal 5 covers roughly 230,000 square feet with five domestic boarding gates.
  • The $260 million inter-terminal connector allows travelers who have cleared security to move freely between concourses without returning to the main ticketing hall.
  • Together, the two projects represent more than $660 million in capital investment.

Why is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport expanding?

FLL has carved out a niche as a high-volume hub for budget and leisure carriers, and officials have signaled that the expansion is necessary to keep pace with sustained demand, as Miami International Airport absorbs the bulk of the region's international traffic. A more connected, higher-capacity FLL could also intensify competition with Miami International for domestic routes, giving South Florida travelers more options at both ends of the region.

What other infrastructure changes are planned alongside the terminal projects?

The construction activity ties into plans for the PREMO Intermodal Center, a proposed multimodal transit hub that would improve ground-side access to the airport and connect passengers to regional transportation networks. Details on PREMO's timeline and funding remain in development, but its inclusion signals an intent to address the notorious roadway congestion that plagues the terminal area during peak travel periods.

What risks and broader impacts should travelers and planners expect?

Construction timelines at large airport projects are historically susceptible to delays tied to supply chains, labor availability, and regulatory approvals, so the mid-2026 and late-2027 target dates will be closely watched by airlines and aviation planners alike. For Broward County, the investment represents one of the largest infrastructure commitments in recent memory, with ripple effects expected across the local hospitality, logistics, and commercial real estate sectors.

The original reporting on FLL's expansion program was published by Le Soleil de la Floride.