BOARD OF AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS AUTHORIZES CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS TO DEVELOP AIRPORT MASTER PLAN FOR PALMDALE REGIONAL AIRPORT

(Los Angeles, California -- July 16, 2002) The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today took a step toward development of Palmdale Regional Airport (PMD) as a commercial airport to help meet the passenger and cargo needs of Southern California in the 21st Century.

The Board authorized Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) staff to negotiate a contract with URS Corporation of Los Angeles for services to develop an airport master plan and any required supporting environmental impact statement/report (EIS/EIR). The document will cover a 25-year planning horizon.

PMD is located approximately 35 air miles north of the Los Angeles Civic Center in the rapidly growing Antelope Valley.

The master plan will focus on defining a future role for PMD in the regional context and developing a long-term strategy for utilization of adjacent U.S. Air Force Plant 42 and the development a new airport on LAWA owned property comprising 17,750 acres.

URS was one of four companies that submitted proposals in response to a Request for Proposals released in March 2002.

The Board’s action was in response to Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn’s desires for a regional approach to serving air passenger and cargo demand in Southern California. LAWA already has master plan processes underway for its other three airports: Los Angeles International, Ontario International and Van Nuys.