Florida’s aviation sector is continuing to struggle in the post-pandemic years, with Fort Lauderdale losing all direct flights to London and Paris.

Florida’s aviation sector continues to lag in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the state’s air travel network experiencing marked reductions in direct international flights.

The downtick is most pronounced in Fort Lauderdale, which hosts international direct air connections to London and Paris, routes that once saw dozens of flights a month operated mainly by Marabu Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA.

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium reveals a concerning trend, however: Fort Lauderdale’s direct flights to the two European metros, which numbered more than 50 a month, have now ceased entirely, mirroring broader challenges confronting the aviation industry, including aircraft and parts shortages, escalated operational costs, and strategic route adjustments favoring traditional hubs over less frequented destinations.

Florida, which relies heavily on tourism and international commerce, is feeling the impact of reduced air connectivity. The absence of direct flights not only affects the tourism sector but also poses inconveniences for local businesses and residents accustomed to direct international access.

This trend of consolidating air traffic through major hubs is evident worldwide, as cities like Singapore and New York enhance their positions in the international aviation market. Meanwhile, the decrease in direct services from locations such as Fort Lauderdale reflects the aviation industry’s adjustment to post-pandemic realities, including economic pressures and logistical constraints.

The sector’s challenges were a focal point at the recent Singapore Airshow, where industry leaders discussed the recovery’s scale and the impact of aircraft delivery delays. The discussions highlighted the critical nature of the issues facing regions like Florida, which must now adapt to a changed air travel landscape.

The dataset comes just days after Visit Florida, the state’s tourism market agency, noted surge in tourism last year, welcoming 135 million visitors, a 3.0 percent increase over 2019 figures. Overseas visitation in the fourth financial quarter rose by 15.9 percent from the previous year to 2.3 million, complemented by a 22.0 percent increase in Canadian visitors to 1.1 million.

The uptick contributed to an 18.3 percent rise in overseas and a 45.5 percent boost in Canadian visitation for the year, despite the challenges of inflation and higher travel expenses.