LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ANNOUNCES SUMMER AVIATION PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

(Los Angeles, California -- April 2, 2002) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and its business and community partners have joined forces to host three free, week-long educational programs for local-area seventh and eighth-grade and high school students to provide an introduction to careers in aviation. The Junior Aviation Career Education (ACE Academy) for middle school students is scheduled Monday, July 15, through Friday, July 19; and the High School ACE Academy is scheduled for Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2. If there is enough demand, another week will be held Monday, August 12 - Friday, August 16.

The program provides participants with a basic understanding of career opportunities within the aviation industry, as well as general knowledge about LAX. Students will receive facility tours and briefings by airport-wide employees and tenants. The middle school students will also spend a day with Southwest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration while the high school students will spend a day with American Airlines and an afternoon at Boeing.

LAWA Executive Director Lydia H. Kennard said, “It is important that students become exposed to the many career options in aviation. The ACE Academy is a fun and exciting way to help increase awareness of the many opportunities available."

The program is open to seventh and eighth grade students and high schools in areas surrounding Los Angeles International Airport, Culver City, El Segundo, Lennox, Westchester, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Venice, and Los Angeles. Applications from other areas will be accepted, however, priority will be given to local students. LAX partners include The Proud Bird, McDonald's, Long Beach Costco, Westchester Togo's, LSG Sky Chefs, Museum of Flying, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and more.

For additional information or to receive an application, please contact Diana Sanchez or Marie Happ in the LAX Community Relations Division at (310) 646- 5742 or via e-mail at dsanchez@lawa.org. Deadline for applications is May 31.