Residents push back against plan to extend Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport runway

Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport officials received an earful Monday night from their neighbors.

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Homeowners pushed back on the airport’s plans to expand its runway by 1,000 feet.

Airport officials say the extra space is needed to better service aircrafts that are already housed there.

Some at the meeting pointed to the airport’s $3.9 billion economic impact, while residents expressed fear it will lead to more air traffic.

They say they don’t want more traffic because they don’t want more noise.

“There are times when there is a jet coming in every three minutes,” said Imperial Point resident Ronald Miller.

Residents brought up that a noise study had not been conducted since 2015, but airport officials said there simply haven’t been enough complaints to trigger a new study.

Residents also pointed to concerns about air pollution.

Plans for the runway expansion are waiting for an environmental assessment to pass.

If that happens, construction could start as soon as next year.