MORE RELIEF STATIONS INSTALLED FOR SERVICE ANIMALS AT LAX

         (Los Angeles, California – December 10, 2009)  Additional animal relief stations have been added within the Central Terminal Area at Los AngelesInternationalAirport(LAX) to better accommodate travelers with service animals.

            “Three new relief areas have been added to the existing two, to better assist travelers with disabilities who are accompanied by guide dogs or other assistance animals,” said Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Coordinator for Disabled Services Larry Rolon.  “Our staff, with input from LAWA’s Americans with Disabilities Act Citizen’s Advisory Committee and airlines, selected the best possible locations for the relief areas, taking into consideration the limitations of space and pedestrian safety.”

            Rolon noted that revisions to the Air Carrier Access Act regulations also require service animal relief areas to be installed at all U.S. airports.  “We had two areas, but felt that five would better accommodate the amount of disabled travelers who use LAX,” he said. 

  The relief areas are located outside the terminals on the Lower/Arrivals Level at LAX:

                              1.            Between Terminals 1 and 2.

                              2.            Between Terminal 3 and Tom Bradley International Terminal (closer to Terminal 3).  

                              3.            Between Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 4.  (This existing relief area is currently out of service due to construction at the terminal.  It will  reopen once construction is completed.)

                              4.            Between Terminals 5 and 6.  (This relief area is located across the street from the terminals in the grassy area by the parking structure.)

                              5.            At the end of Terminal 8.  (This is a pre-existing relief area.)

           A box containing bags for easy disposal of waste is conveniently located behind animal relief station signs.

            Service animals are allowed on all domestic flights and most international flights.  Screeners are trained in the processing of service animals through passenger security checkpoints.  

            Passengers are encouraged to check with their airline to ensure they follow any special protocols required.  International travelers are especially advised to check with their airline about possible restrictions.