Fort Lauderdale Airport - becoming a unique niche for low-cost airlines in South Florida

Fort Lauderdale is a unique crossroads for three non-legacy airlines opting for the airport's lower costs, a built-in leisure traveller base and a visiting friends and relatives (VFR) passenger segment.

JetBlue has recognised Fort Lauderdale's trio of benefits, and has been rapidly expanding at the airport during the past two years. Fort Lauderdale is an important cog in JetBlue's network, and the carrier has a stated goal of reaching 100 daily flights from the airport by 2017.

Of course Fort Lauderdale still remains the largest base and headquarters of ultra low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines. Southwest also has a solid presence at the airport, which in some ways makes Fort Lauderdale a mecca for carriers that declare themselves hybrid, low-cost or ultra low-cost.