NEARLY TWO MILLION TRAVELERS EXPECTED TO PASS THROUGH LAX,
225,000 THROUGH ONT DURING YEAR-END HOLIDAY SEASON
(Los Angeles, CA – December 20, 2007) Nearly 2 million travelers are expected to pass through Los AngelesInternationalAirport (LAX) during the annual year-end holiday season that begins Friday, Dec. 21, and continues through Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. This year’s holiday-period total of air travelers is forecast to exceed last year’s comparable period by 3 percent.
At LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT), more than 225,000 passengers are expected this holiday season, an increase of 5 percent over last year.
LA/Palmdale Regional Airport, which opened on June 7, offers AntelopeValleytravelers two daily roundtrip jet flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on United Express. At SFO, passengers can make easy connections to scores of international and domestic destinations.
The busiest travel days during this holiday period are expected to be the three days before Christmas and Jan. 2, when airlines forecast flights to be nearly or 100 percent booked.
LAX passengers will experience improved conveniences, such as the expansion of non-stop FlyAway bus service from Westwood, in addition to established service from Van Nuys and Union Station. The cost is $4 one way for adults. Travelers from the Westwood and Van Nuys FlyAway locations also can obtain airline boarding passes and check baggage for a separate $5 fee – allowing them to go straight to passenger security screening when they arrive at their terminal.
Passengers can enjoy a meal at the re-opened Encounter Restaurant in the heart of LAX. It is open for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner on Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Other new amenities at each terminal include wireless Internet service (Wi-Fi) and electric charging stations for portable electronics.
International passengers processing through customs and immigration at the Tom Bradley International Terminal will experience a brighter, spacious and more modern facility with the opening last week of the first of a three-phase renovation to the customs arrivals hall. Upgrades include brighter and more energy-efficient lighting, new temperature controls, larger and more efficient baggage-claim carousels, new work spaces and computers for customs and immigration agents to process inbound passengers, new luggage inspection stations, new digital communications wiring, new utilities and plumbing, and new restrooms. The second phase of renovations in the customs arrivals hall will begin soon to be completed Fall 2008.
Airport officials recommend passengers departing LAX arrive at their airline ticketing lobby two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights, especially during daily peak travel periods from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. With winter weather conditions across the U.S. , passengers also should check with their airlines before coming to the airport to ensure their flights are on time
Travelers at LA/Ontario International Airport are urged to arrive at the airport 1-½ hours before domestic flights and two hours before international flights servingMexico.
Helpful tips to expedite travel this holiday season:
· For more information on LAX FlyAway services, call 866-I FLY LAX (866-435-9529).
· To help motorists avoid traffic congestion in the Central Terminal Area, motorists can wait for free in the LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot, located at9011 Airport Boulevard. Situated next to the U.S. Post Office, the lot offers a free parking alternative where motorists can wait for cell phone calls from arriving travelers and then drive to the curbside to pick them up.
· Motorists driving to LAX and ONT can obtain the latest information on airport conditions, freeway/road conditions in and around the two airports, current security status, available parking, and airline terminal locations 24 hours a day on LAX AiRadio at 530 AM and on ONT AiRadio at 770 AM.
Information on all of the services and amenities available to passengers at LAX, ONT and PMD can be found at http://www.lawa.org/. A comprehensive list of what passengers can and cannot pack in checked luggage or carry onboard is available at http://www.tsa.gov/. Passengers traveling overseas for the holidays also are advised to review customs regulations on what one can bring into the United States at http://www.dhs.gov/.
Airport security officials also remind passengers of the federal air travel 3-1-1 rule for liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on bags: 3 ounce or smaller-sized containers of liquids, gels or aerosols placed in a one-quart size plastic zip-top bag with one bag per traveler. Of special note, popular seasonal gifts such as snow globes fall into the category of liquids that cannot be packed in carry-on bags. Presents also should not be gift-wrapped, whether in checked or carry-on bags.
