For Immediate Release
March 20, 2020
Contact:
LAX Public Relations
(424) 646-5260
(Los Angeles, CA) With the new Safer at Home orders from the City and County of Los Angeles, as well as the statewide Stay at Home order, many travelers and their loved ones are wondering what that means for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). In all of these orders, airports are defined as essential operations. That means that LAX and VNY remain open and operating, though in many cases airlines have reduced their schedules. Guests are strongly advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport. Additionally, public health guidance recommends only flying for essential travel to reduce the possible spread of germs. Per the Mayor’s Safer Home order, Angelenos are directed to stay in their residences and limit activity outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary for essential tasks – including to secure food and health care, safety and medical necessities, as well as to care for children, older adults, and people with disabilities – to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to the continuation of flight operations at LAX and VNY, businesses that are part of usual airport operations are also exempt from the orders. Concessions, retail stores, parking structures and ground transportation providers all continue operating, though in some cases with adjusted schedules or protocols.
Individuals are also still allowed to travel to LAX to pick up or drop off friends and loved ones, but the Safer at Home and public health guidelines remain, and it is recommended that those guests remain in their cars and practice social distancing rather than going into the terminals to meet their parties.
Food for takeout is available and most other retail and grab and go shops remain open, although perhaps at reduced or different hours of operation. Guests are asked to maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and others when in retail stores, gate areas, security lines and generally when walking throughout the airport.
Since the announcement of the Safer at Home orders, airport officials have received numerous questions regarding airport operations. Below are some of the more frequently asked questions and answers for guests who must travel.
Is LAX open? Yes. LAX remains open and operating for those who have essential travel. Many airlines have reduced flight schedules so guests are encouraged to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Is the FlyAway bus still operating? Yes. And additional cleaning and sanitizing protocols have been put into place to reduce the spread of germs. Passengers should keep at least six feet distance from other riders.
Are shuttles and buses that serve LAX still running? Yes. Hotel, rental car and LAX-operated buses and shuttles (e.g. G Shuttle, Employee Shuttle, Airport Connector, Municipal Bus Station) remain in operation. Guests are asked to maintain at least six feet between themselves and others on these buses and shuttles.
Is LAX-it open? Yes. Taxis and ride app companies continue to operate and guests can access these rides at LAX-it. LAX-it shuttle buses are cleaned and sanitized frequently and guests are asked to maintain at least six feet between themselves and others, both on the shuttles and at LAX-it. Check with your ground transportation provider to see if there are changes to the pickup procedures once at LAX-it.
Are LAX parking structures open? Yes. Parking structures at LAX remain open and operating, as does Lot E, LAX’s Economy Lot.
Can I drive to LAX to pick someone up? Yes. Remember to practice social distancing. If you can pick your guest up curbside or meet them in a parking structure rather than coming into the terminal, you reduce the possibility of coming into contact with someone else or spreading germs.
Are restaurants and stores open? Yes, though some stores and restaurants have reduced hours and food is available for take-out only. Concession and retail schedules are changing frequently and will be shared on FlyLAX.com and on Twitter at @FlyLAXAirport.
What are you doing to reduce the spread of germs at LAX? Los Angeles World Airports has implemented all recommended cleaning and sanitizing protocols put out by public health officials. This includes deploying more than 500 hand sanitizer stations throughout the airport, increasing deep cleaning protocols for high-touch areas, restrooms and touchscreens, and posting signage throughout the airport reminding people of the steps they can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, guests are asked to follow public health guidance on hand washing, social distancing and staying home if they are sick. More information on cleaning and sanitizing protocols and other steps LAWA is taking to keep airport guests safe can be found at https://www.flylax.com/en/traveler-updates.
The response to COVID-19 remains fluid, with new directives and orders arriving daily. As there are updates to the operations of LAX or VNY, that information will be shared via FlyLAX.com and social media.
LAX, the fourth-busiest airport in the world and second busiest in the United States, was named a top-10 U.S. airport by SKYTRAX. LAX served more than 87.5 million passengers in 2018 and offers an average of 700 daily nonstop flights to 109 cities in the U.S. and 1,281 weekly nonstop flights to 93 markets in 47 countries on 69 commercial airlines. LAX ranks 10th in the world in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.4 million tons of air cargo. LAX handled 707,883 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2018.
LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California, with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion, according to an economic study based on 2014 operations. 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 was honored as having the “Best Overall Customer Service Program” by Airports Council International-North America; named the “Best Airport for Breastfeeding Moms” by Mamava; selected for the Top 10 “Best of the U.S.’s Big Airports” (Wall Street Journal) and “Most Pet-Friendly Airports in the U.S. (Mental Floss); named the second-most improved airport in the U.S. by JD Power; received an “Innovation Award” from the L.A. Better Business Challenge for its Central Utility Plant; and named a “Business Leader in Air Quality” by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
LAX is also the second-most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram, according to wego.com. 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, please visit www.flyLAX.com or follow on Twitter @flyLAXAirport, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport, and on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/laxairport1.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.
