For Immediate Release
May 24, 2018
Contact:
Charles H. Pannunzio
(424) 646-5260
Airport Expecting 6 Percent Increase in Passenger Volume this Holiday Weekend over 2017, Reminding Travelers to Plan Ahead and Give Themselves Extra Time
(Los Angeles, CA) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is expecting a busy start to the summer travel season with a 6 percent increase in passenger volume predicted for the four-day Memorial Day holiday period, which starts on Friday, May 25, and continues through the holiday on Monday, May 28.
The busiest day of the holiday period is expected to be Friday, with nearly 252,000 passengers expected to come through LAX. For the four-day period, 948,000 passengers are expected versus 894,000 for holiday weekend in 2017.
Friday is also expected to be the busiest day on the roadways at LAX, with more than 117,000 vehicles expected to enter the terminal loop. That number drops to 92,000 on Saturday and 90,000 on Sunday before climbing to 112,000 on Monday.
"With the Memorial Day holiday weekend fast approaching, we know it will be busy at LAX and we want our guests to know that we're ready and excited to welcome them," said Trevor Daley, Deputy Executive Director of External Affairs, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). "We thank our guests for choosing LAX. We want to remind all those heading to the airport this weekend to give themselves extra time and patience, so they can get where they're going with as little stress as possible."
Once they arrive at LAX, guestswill see LAX’s popular PUPs therapy dogs out in force providing comfort to those in need and Los Angeles Airport Police on enhanced deployment for high visibility and traffic management. Volunteer Information Professionals (VIPs) and Guest Experience Members (GEMs) are available to answer travelers' questions, and badged LAX employees will be providing Gold-Star service.
Guests will find new shopping and dining choices across the airport's nine terminals, including the just-opened PF Chang's (Tom Bradley) and Moshi retail store (T4). Other new favorites include Einstein's Bagels (T1), Ashland Hill and The Parlor (both in T3), and the latest concept in the rotating food truck, Food & Bounty (T4).
“There is nothing better than taking a long weekend trip or heading out to see friends and family, and at LAX we're ready to help make these trips exceptional,” said Barbara Yamamoto, Chief Experience Officer, LAWA. "At LAX this summer our guests will find new technologies to make their travel smoother, staff who are there to help them have an outstanding experience, and exciting amenities that will make their trip more fun and entertaining.”
LAX is also using technology to create a safer, more efficient and more enjoyable travel experience. Automated Screening Lanes (ASLs) are now available in four terminals to help speed up the Transportation Security Administration screening process. The Customs and Border Protection Mobile Passport app will help U.S. and Canadian citizens get through customs faster, and our in-terminal Apple Maps wayfinding will point the way to restrooms, gates, dining and retail choices.
To help their holiday plan get off to a smoother start, airport officials recommend departing travelers factor in additional time for traffic congestion and arrive in their airline terminals at least two hours prior to boarding time for domestic flights and at least three hours before boarding time for international flights. Travelers heading to regions where stormy weather could be a factor are also advised to check their flight’s status before coming to LAX.
Guests who use Long-Term Parking Lot C should be aware that construction has reduced the number of spaces to about 1,900, and are advised to planahead and consider one of the other nearby long-term parking options. Electronic signs will be used to advise motorists when Lot C is full.
Guests can do their part to help reduce traffic congestion by taking shared-ride public transportation to/from LAX, including: Metro Rail Green Line; door-to-door shuttle vans; and long-distance and municipal buses. The airport also offers inexpensive and convenient FlyAway® buses from Hollywood, Long Beach, Metro Orange Line (San Fernando Valley), Union Station, Van Nuys, and Westwood/UCLA.
Rather than circling the Central Terminal Area until arriving passengers reach terminal curbside for pick up, motorists can park and wait up to two hours free at the LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot at 6221 West 96th Street (96th Street and Vicksburg Avenue), adjacent to the entrance of LAX Parking Lot C).To avoid the CTA altogether, motorists can ask arriving passengers to board the LAX Shuttle bus to Lot C and meet them in the Cell Phone Waiting Lot.
Active duty service members are reminded that the Bob Hope USO Center, located between Terminals 1 and 2, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week as they and family members travel through LAX.
To help speed their journeys, travelers are encouraged to enroll in TSA Pre√® or other trusted-traveler programs such as Customs & Border Protection’s Global Entry, which improve security and reduce wait times.
The public is reminded that LAX’s multibillion-dollar modernization program is still ongoing. When coming to LAX, passengers should look for and follow way-finding signage near all construction sites to ensure their safety and to enhance mobility.For real-time LAX traffic conditions and information on the status and locations of airport construction,visit www.flyLAX.com. Motorists and travelers also can receive real-time status of airport conditions by accessing @FlyLAXairport and @LAAirportPD Twitter feeds. LAX is also on WAZE, the community-based traffic navigation app.
Preliminary data for this summer travel season indicates that 26.8 million passengers will use LAX between May 25 and Sept. 3, an increase of 4 percent of the 2017 travel season.
LAX has created a video highlighting the Memorial Day traveler numbers, tips for travelers and updates on some of the great amenities available. Find it here: https://youtu.be/UgOp6idcOC4.
