From commercial planes to aerobatic planes, hundreds of people were in for quite a treat on Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's newest runway.
In the past, the runway was used for small general aviation, but the now 8,000-foot-long airstrip can accommodate more planes in an airport with such high demand.
"Right now we have about 260,000 landings and takeoffs annually," said airport spokesman Greg Meyer. "We'll be able to accomodate up to 450,000 with the dual runways."
According to airport officals, the new south runway also means better airline traffic flow and less delays.
"You have the ability for people to get in and out more effeciently," Meyer said. "You won't have 6 minute, 30 minute or 45 minute delays because of a situation at the runway where we have too many aircraft leaving."
Community members toured the more than $790 millon dollar runway and also enjoyed bites from local food trucks.
Both airport officials and those attending the event hope the new addition will have more airlines taking off and landing out of this airport. They also think it'll be great for business and tourism.
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"We believe the addition of this runway will be attractive to low-cost and other carriers to come here," Meyer said.
Flights will take off and land out of here as early as September 18th, and the airport expansion continues. The entire expansion project is expected to be completed by 2017.
