2.4 MILLION TRAVELERS EXPECTED TO PASS THROUGH LAX; 208,000 THROUGH ONT DURING YEAR-END HOLIDAY SEASON

(Los Angeles, CA – December 18, 2009)  Los AngelesInternationalAirport is (LAX) is expected to serve 2.4 million travelers during the annual year-end holiday travel season that begins Saturday, Dec. 19, and continues through Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010.  This year’s holiday-period total of air travelers is forecast to exceed last year’s comparable period by 1.9 percent due to airlines shifting their flight schedules resulting in more flights to and from LAX.

At LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT), more than 208,000 passengers are expected this holiday season, a decrease of seven percent over last year.

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 80 percent booked.

            Airport officials suggest passengers departing LAX during the daily peak travel periods – from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; or from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – to be in their airline’s ticketing lobbies two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

            Travelers at ONT are urged to arrive at the airport 1-1/2 hours before domestic flights and two hours before international flights serving Mexico.

            A number of airlines at LAX have changed terminal locations since last year. Midwest Airlines now operates from Terminal 6, while Aeromexico operates at Terminal 2.  Mexicana Airlines is now located on the Upper/Departures Level at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).  Passengers should check with their airline for their location or visit Los AngelesWorldAirport’s (LAWA) website atwww.lawa.org.  

            Travelers are advised they are not required to give money to solicitors or anyone appearing as airport employees on the curbside of terminals wearing non-airport-issued badges and street clothes.  LAX Ambassadors wearing red jackets and straw hats inside the terminals provide complimentary information to travelers in addition to the Airport Guides and Travelers Aid desks located throughout the terminals.    

            The Volunteer LAX Passenger Assistance Program service initiative will also be active during this holiday travel season.  LAX employees wearing red vests will provide information and friendly smiles to passengers at curbside on the Upper/Departures Level on Wednesday, Dec. 23 and Thursday, Dec. 24.

            Holiday cheer will be evident throughout the terminals with Santa Claus and his elves greeting travelers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) choir singing holiday songs, a Craft Area available for children, and holiday decorations.  

            LAX AiRadio 530 AM is the only broadcast source of information on ground transportation, parking, airline terminal locations and security.  Broadcasts are streamed onto the airport’s Internet website at www.lawa.org. 

            reLAX public lounge in TBIT at LAX is the only lounge located before passenger security screening.  Travelers can pay $10 for a one-hour period, $25 for three hours, $35 for five hours, and $50 for all day to use a comfortable and relaxing waiting area, with refreshments and business services such as wireless Internet access, faxing, photocopying and printing.  Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to midnight daily.  For information, visit www.relaxloungelax.com. 

       New services at LAX introduced this year include:

• LAX FlyAway® bus service expanded to Irvine, its fourth location, at Irvine Station at 15215 Barranca Parkway.  This new route is expected to become as popular as the service from Van Nuys’ terminal at 7610 Woodley Avenue (intersection of Woodley and Saticoy), the Union Station East Portal at Berth 9 in Patsaouras Transit Plaza, and from Westwood on Kinross Avenue west of Gayley, adjacent to UCLA Parking Structure 32.  FlyAway fares are $7 each way for adults for Van Nuys and Union Station; $5 each way for adults for Westwood; and $25 each way for Irvine.  All children age 5 and under ride free.  For more information, visit www.lawa.org/flyaway. 

• New concessions Pinkberry, Gladstone’s 4 Fish, and Petals are now open at LAX, offering travelers additional food and service options with an L.A.signature.  Known for its tart yogurt flavors and fresh-cut fruit and dry toppings, Pinkberry is located in Terminal 1.  Gladstone’s 4 Fish, offering menu favorites from its landmark seafood restaurant in Malibu, is in Terminal 3.  Petals flower shop, located in the Meet and Greet area of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), features a wide selection of flowers and floral arrangements grown in Southern California.        

Information on all of the services and amenities available to passengers at LAX and ONT can be found at www.lawa.org.                                   

A comprehensive list of what passengers can and cannot pack in checked luggage or carry-on bags is available at 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 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.