FIRST TERMINAL MOVES AT LAX SUCCESSFUL; EAST COAST WEATHER CAUSING DELAYS, PASSENGERS URGED TO CHECK WITH AIRLINES

            (Los Angeles, California – May 13, 2017)  The first major round of coordinated airline terminal relocations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were completed overnight as Allegiant, Boutique Air, Frontier, Sun Country, Virgin America, Virgin Australia, and Volaris relocated to their new homes throughout Terminals 2, 3, 5, and 6.  Delta Air Lines completed the first of three nights of relocating its gates from Terminals 5 and 6 to Terminals 2 and 3.

            “Months of planning are beginning to pay off as our airline partners begin transitioning into their new terminals,” said Trevor Daley, Los Angeles World Airports Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs.  “We thank our guests for their patience and understanding, and our airline partners and volunteers for their professionalism and dedication.  Our Guest Experience Team is ready to help any and all passengers find their way throughout LAX in the coming days.”

East Coast causing Weather Delays

            Low weather ceilings in the Northeast have led to delays of aircraft departing to and arriving from New York and New Jersey.  In addition to double-checking the proper terminal for arriving flights, guests who are meeting an arriving flight from the northeast should allow extra time when coming to LAX, and are advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight status and arrival times.  Departing passengers are also advised to check with their airlines for updates.  No flight delays or cancellations connected to the airline move have been reported.

Passengers urged to check with airlines; arrive early

Passengers are strongly encouraged to check in, print or download boarding passes before leaving for LAX, so they can be aware of the changes and arrive at the correct terminal for their departure.  In addition, passengers are encouraged to arrive earlier than usual, 3 hours for a domestic flight, 4 hours for an international flight.  When arriving at LAX, look up at new signage that will be updated nightly to reflect the moves, and which will identify the new airline terminal locations.  Finally, passengers are reminded to ask for help if they have problems finding their flights.  More than 200 volunteers will be on hand in the coming days, many of them in green vests that match a green-wrapped shuttle bus that will run on both the upper-and lower-level roadways to help transport passengers to their correct terminal.

“LAX on the MOVE” shuttle buses running to help passengers

            “LAX on the MOVE” shuttle buses, wrapped in neon green to match the vest of volunteer wayfinders, are running on the Upper/Departures Level and the Lower/Arrivals Level until midnight. These buses will make two stops, at Terminals 2-3 and Terminals 5-6, to assist guests who are at the incorrect terminals. They supplement the “A-Airline Connections” shuttle bus that travels on the Lower/Arrivals Level only.

The moving operation, which was completed ahead of schedule, included 10 moving trucks, 176 movers and 30 volunteer assistants, who moved approximately 1,100 four-wheel dollies and about 3,500 boxes as well as 300 computers.

Additional signs are being deployed in the Central Terminal Area as needed. The new airline locations have been updated on the overhead signs throughout the Central Terminal Area.  The next airline moves will be overnight Sunday, May 14, into the morning of Monday, May 15, and include Avianca and InterJet, which are moving from Terminal 2 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which check-in at Terminal 3. and Spirit, which is moving from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5. Delta Air Lines will continue its transition from Terminals 5 and 6 to Terminals 2 and 3 at that time.

About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

           LAX is the fourth busiest airport in the world, second in the United States, and was named one of Skytrax’ 2017 Top 10 Most Improved Airports.  LAX served more than 80.9 million passengers in 2016.  LAX offers 742 daily nonstop flights to 101 cities in the U.S. and 1,280 weekly nonstop flights to 77 cities in 42 countries on 64 commercial air carriers.  LAX ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.2 million tons of air cargo valued at over $101.4 billion.  LAX handled 697,138 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2016. 

An economic study based on 2014 operations reported LAX generated 620,610 jobs in Southern California with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion.  This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues.  The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital-improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion, $966 million in state and local taxes, and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues.

            LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.

For more information about LAX, follow on Twitter @flyLAXAirport , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport , and on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/laxairport1 .  Info