LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS ESTABLISHES TASK FORCE WITH AIRLINES, OTHER TENANTS TO MINIMIZE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF AVIATION INDUSTRY REDUCTIONS

(Los Angeles, California -- September 25, 2001) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials announced today the creation of an Economic Impact Assessment Task Force to work with the air carriers and other tenants at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) "to develop ideas and initiatives that will mitigate the economic impacts of the September 11 tragedies on airport-wide employees and to minimize to the greatest extent possible the impact on men and women whose livelihoods depend on a prosperous airport."

Led by LAWA Chief Operating Officer Paul Green, the task force is already working diligently with the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners and Los Angeles City Mayor James K. Hahn to implement measures that will lessen negative impacts on airport workers.

In addition, this task force will work with the Mayor's Office to "vigorously" support federal legislation backed by Mayor Hahn to establish an employee job assistance program to assist displaced workers in finding new jobs.

LAWA Executive Director Lydia H. Kennard today reported at a special public meeting of the Board that upon resumption of LAX operations on September 13 under new, stricter security regulations mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, "It became immediately apparent that LAX-related employment would be significantly impacted."

Kennard reported that to-date, airlines, concessionaires, and other tenants at LAX have already implemented or are scheduling staff reductions of 10,000 to 12,000 airport-wide during the next few weeks.