TRAVELERS URGED TO AVOID BRINGING PRIVATE VEHICLES TO LAX CENTRAL TERMINAL AREA FOR REMAINDER OF CURRENT HOLIDAY TRAVEL PERIOD
Buses, Taxis, Shuttle Vans, Metro Green Line Suggested As Alternatives

(Los Angeles, California – December 26, 2003) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) officials are urging travelers to avoid bringing private vehicles to the Central Terminal Area (CTA) for the remainder of the holiday period unless they plan to park in the airport's CTA parking structures.

All curbside drop-off and pick-up of passengers in the LAX Central Terminal Area is suspended through Jan. 4, 2004. All private vehicles entering the CTA roadways are required to park in the parking structures. Drop-offs and pickups of passengers at traffic islands and parking structure entrances are prohibited.

The revised traffic plan was ordered by Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn on Dec. 23 after consultation with local and federal security officials to minimize risks associated with unattended vehicles at the curbside and to facilitate access to the terminal by emergency vehicles if necessary. In addition, all vehicles entering the CTA are subject to search. Airport officials said the new traffic plan balances the needs of ensuring aviation security and the personal safety of everyone at LAX while minimizing inconvenience to travelers.

Travelers wishing to be dropped off or picked up curbside at LAX should use commercial public transportation such as taxis, door-to-door shuttle vans, public buses, Metro Rail Green Line via Aviation Boulevard Station, Van Nuys FlyAway and other direct-to-airport buses, and limousines for hire. Passengers also are advised to use private parking lots located off-airport and to take their courtesy shuttle buses to the passenger terminals.

All vehicles entering the terminal areas at LAX and ONT are subject to inspection.

Los Angeles Airport Police have established vehicle checkpoints (similar to sobriety checkpoints) at the four entrances to the airport's Central Terminal Area. These are: (1) westbound Century Boulevard, (2) 96th Street and Sepulveda Boulevard (commercial vehicles only such as taxis, limos, and shuttle vans), (3) northbound Sepulveda Boulevard, north of the Sepulveda Tunnel, and (4) southbound Sepulveda Boulevard at Century Boulevard.

Here is how the LAX CTA is operating through January 4, 2003:

ARRIVING PASSENGERS: On the Lower/Arrival Level, the lanes nearest the parking structures are used by private vehicles. The remaining lanes nearest the ground transportation islands are reserved for LAX shuttle buses; the Van Nuys FlyAway and other direct-to-airport buses; and courtesy shuttle vans and buses operated by private, off-airport parking lots, rental car agencies, and hotels.

The three lanes between the ground transportation islands and the passenger terminals are reserved for commercial, permitted ground transportation vehicles such as taxis, limousines for hire, and door-to-door shuttle vans, as well as for emergency vehicles. Meeters-and-greeters in private vehicles will be required to park in one of the parking structures. They can meet their parties in the baggage claim areas or terminal curbside.

DEPARTING PASSENGERS: On the Upper/Departure Level, the two through lanes nearest the parking structures are reserved for private vehicles. The remaining two lanes adjacent to the passenger terminals are reserved for commercial, permitted ground transportation vehicles. Private vehicles entering the CTA to drop off passengers only are required to park in a parking structure.

Barriers have been installed to separate private vehicles from commercial vehicles.

Airport officials continue to urge travelers to allow additional time for vehicle, passenger and baggage screening. LAWA recommends passengers allow 2½  hours for airport security measures for domestic flights and 3½ hours for international flights.

For up-to-date information about ground transportation, parking, and general status of airport operations, please call toll free 1-888-544-9444, or visit the airport's Internet website at www.lawa.org, or tune radios to LAX's AiRadio 530AM traffic information station.