Reopened runway hasn’t relieved noise near airport

Construction at Fort Lauderdale’s main airport has created a dramatic split for landings and takeoffs.

The north runway, which reopened Oct. 1 after four months, is mostly used for takeoffs. The south runway, which had been for all flights coming and going, is now used mostly for landings.

Neighbors to the west of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport had hoped the north runway’s reopening would lessen the noise from planes flying over their homes.

“When will the north, main, runway really open,” complained resident Gary Luedtke, who has seen few planes coming in to land on the north runway. “Open is defined as accepting airliner arrivals.”

Passengers are spending more time on the planes too. Flights with terminals on the airport’s south side have to taxi longer before taking off, while those landing with terminals on the north side have a longer distance to go before they reach their arrival gates.

During the past three weeks, only 6% of the airport’s landings have used the north runway, while 87% of the takeoffs have been on it, officials said. Departures are less of an issue this time of year, as prevailing winds usually have them taking off to the east over the ocean and affecting far fewer homeowners.

Luedtke said his neighbors — who are more disturbed by landings from the west that use the south runway — have been complaining about fainting spells caused by sleep deprivation from frequent overnight landings, and the endless feeling of homes vibrating and light fixtures rattling since the runway construction began in June.

They’ll have to wait until at least Nov. 15 for some relief. Overnight work on the taxiways off the north runway is expected to be completed then, allowing for a better balance of how the runways are used. But airport officials say there will continue to be disruptions on the north runway until March.

“In the past week, there has been a gradual increase in the number of arrival flight operations on [the north runway] and that trend is expected to continue as we open supporting taxiways,” airport spokesman Gregory Meyer wrote in an email.