LAX EXPECTING BUSY LABOR DAY TRAFFIC
(Los Angeles, California - August 30, 2001) Approximately 800,000 passengers are expected to travel through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the upcoming four-day Labor Day holiday weekend, according to airport officials. While not a new record-breaking level, it is expected to be as busy as last year's Labor Day.
Airlines serving LAX report they will be operating at 90 to 95 percent aircraft capacity during this weekend - with the heaviest travel day expected Friday, August 31. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday passenger traffic is expected to taper off, indicating passengers will be returning sporadically from the holiday weekend.
Approximately 100,000 passenger and commercial ground transportation vehicles are expected to drive through the Central Terminal Area each day during the weekend. Airport officials encourage passengers to reduce traffic congestion in and around LAX by taking alternative modes of transportation to the airport or to park in remote Parking Lots B and C.
Free LAX shuttle buses take passengers from Lots B and C every 15 minutes to the airline terminals. Lot C at 96th Street and Sepulveda Boulevard costs $7 per day and Lot B at 111th Street and La Cienega Boulevard is $5 per day. The first two hours at these lots are free.
During the weekend, more Airport Police traffic officers will be on duty to ensure traffic flow and that drivers do not park in front of terminal entrances. Drivers who leave their vehicles unattended or sit in their vehicles curbside -- even for a minute -- are subject to citations and their vehicles may be impounded.
Airport officials advise "meeters and greeters" to park in the remote Parking Lots B and C and to take the free shuttle bus to the terminals. Drivers who plan to enter the Central Terminal Area are encouraged to help reduce traffic congestion by parking their cars in the many, available short-term slots in the parking structures or in the metered parking lots, rather than drive around the Central Terminal Area until passengers come out to the curbside. Short-term parking is available on the first and third levels of most of the structures and cost is $1 per 30 minutes. Metered parking is 25 cents per 15 minutes for up to two hours.
To reduce stress and make traveling less hectic, passengers should observe these additional tips:
- Take alternative transportation such as the Van Nuys Flyaway Bus, airport buses, and the Metro Green Line to the airport to avoid parking delays.
- Plan to arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. This allows passengers extra time for possible delays due to traffic congestion, parking, and longer check-in and passenger security screening lines.
- Passengers should refrain from making any jokes about security issues. Remarks about bombs or violent action will be taken seriously, and in certain cases, could lead to arrest.
- Be prepared to show photo identification to receive tickets and boarding passes.
- Put identification inside and outside all luggage. The name on the luggage tags should match the name on the airline ticket.
- Travelers to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. destinations requiring over-the-water flights must check-in luggage at the ticket counter.
- Keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times. Never leave it unattended, even for a brief moment.
- While driving to the airport, tune car radios to AiRadio 530 AM for airline terminal locations, traffic conditions and parking availability.
- Call up the airport's award-winning Internet website www.lawa.org for answers to most of the questions passengers have about LAX.
