LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS REPORTS SEPTEMBER STATISTICS
(Los Angeles, California -- October 23, 2001) Los Angeles World Airports officials today released September passenger and air cargo statistics for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ontario International Airport (ONT) showing expected significant declines compared with the same month last year. Statistics for operations at Van Nuys (general aviation) and Palmdale Regional Airports also were released.
In releasing the statistics showing a one-third decline in passenger traffic at LAX and a 28 percent decline at ONT in September 2001 as compared with September 2000, officials noted that cessation of operations in September for approximately 2-1/2 days at both airports was unprecedented. Moreover, they cautioned against attempting to project passenger totals to year's end since airlines are continuing to refine flight schedules and passenger demand is increasing in a number of markets.
Airlines serving LAX reported a 33.06 percent decline in passenger totals from 5,362,577 in September 2000 to 3,589,558 in September this year. From January through September this year compared to the same period last year, the decline was 3.37 percent from 50,981,570 to 49,264,444.
As expected, almost all of the 80 passenger air carriers operating at LAX recorded significant declines during September, with the airport's traditional top 10 air carriers reporting declines ranging between 25 percent to 37 percent.
Airlines serving ONT reported a 27.48 percent decline in passenger totals from 527,180 in September 2000 to 382,334 in September this year. From January through September this year compared to the same period last year, ONT passenger traffic was up 2.56 percent over last year from 5,052,864 in 2000 to 5,182,008 this year.
All but one of the 17 passenger air carriers operating at ONT recorded significant declines during September, with the airport's traditional top 10 air carriers reporting declines ranging from 18 percent to 66.66 percent.
Air cargo (mail and freight) at LAX was down 23.49 percent from 184,761 tons in September 2000 to 141,370 tons in September this year. Much of this decline was attributed to a 71.32 percent decline in mail from 19,959 tons to 5,724 tons due to the total stoppage of U.S. mail shipments for several days, as well as a two-week restriction on air mail over 16 ounces after air mail shipments resumed. Air freight was down 17.69 percent in September to 135,645 tons from 164,802 tons in September 2000. Total air cargo at LAX was already down 10.05 percent to 1,329,115 tons during January through August this year from 1,477,550 during the same period last year, due to the general decline in the overall economy before the September 11 terrorist attacks closed the nation's airports.
Air cargo (mail and freight) at ONT was down 12.53 percent from 39,719 tons in September 2000 to 34,741 tons in September this year. Despite U.S. mail shipments having stopped for several days, air mail at ONT increased 30.12 percent from 1,079 tons in September 2000 to 1,404 tons in September this year. Air freight at ONT was down 13.72 percent from 38,640 tons last September to 33,337 tons this September. Total air cargo at ONT was already down 16.78 percent to 287,718 tons during January through August this year from 345,750 tons during the same period last year, again due to the general decline in the overall economy.
Commercial aircraft operations (landings and takeoffs) at LAX decreased 22 percent to 50,175 in September from 64,359 in September 2000. From January through September this year, there were 567,340 operations at LAX, compared to 567,555 during the same period last year -- a negligible difference of only 215.
Commercial aircraft operations (landings and takeoffs) at ONT decreased 20.8 percent to 8,022 in September from 10,130 in September 2000. From January through September this year, there were 90,016 operations at ONT for a decline of one percent from 91,015 during the same period last year.
At Van Nuys Airport (VNY), the total of air taxi (on-demand, unscheduled charter) and general aviation operations (landings and takeoffs) declined 30.97 percent from 40,013 in September 2000 to 27,620 in September. From January through September this year, there were 332,868 air taxi and general aviation operations at VNY for a decline of 10.79 percent from 373,165 during the same period last year. General aviation operations were significantly impacted due to airspace security restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration on September 11 and lifted October 22.
Palmdale Regional Airport (PMD) reported a total of 14 air taxi (on-demand, unscheduled charter) operations in September, down 50 percent from 28 air taxi operations in September the previous year. From January through September this year, there were 294 air taxi operations at PMD, an increase of 58 percent over 186 operations during the same period last year.
Further information on Los Angeles World Airports is available at www.lawa.org.