LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS APPOINTS MARK A. THORPE

(Los Angeles, California – June 26, 2003) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has announced the appointment of Mark A. Thorpe as director of Air Service Marketing.

He will be responsible for air service development, marketing and related advertising programs for LAWA's three commercial airports: Los Angeles International (LAX), Ontario International (ONT), and Palmdale Regional (PMD). LAWA is seeking to balance international and domestic air service at LAX, increase service at ONT, and resume commercial flights at PMD.

Thorpe also will be responsible for interpreting complex regulations related to the airline industry and the Federal Aviation Administration; and monitoring federal laws including bilateral treaties between the U.S. and foreign nations.

“We are pleased to welcome a new director with significant aviation and marketing experience to Los Angeles World Airports,” said Philip Depoian, LAWA Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs. “Mark's role is important in LAWA's development and implementation of a strategic air service marketing program tied to our long-established policy to regionalize future demand for air passenger and cargo services."

Thorpe previously worked as a management consultant and attorney for airports, airlines and national governments at Leigh Fisher Associates, Inc., and PA Consulting. In this capacity, he has assisted large hub airports in developing new and increased nonstop air service in both domestic and international markets. He assisted Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport in developing an air service marketing strategy for the West Africa region; the City of Philadelphia in establishing an air service action plan for its international airport, in the event of an air carrier insolvency; and United Parcel Service in its successful bid to gain access to China.

He also created computer simulation tools for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) federal security directors at LAX and San Francisco International Airport. TSA uses these tools to estimate optimal staffing levels and to prepare checked-baggage security screening mitigation plans during peak traffic periods in order to save millions of dollars in labor costs.

Thorpe earned a B.A. degree in history from Arizona State University in 1995, as well as a juris doctorate and M.B.A. degrees in finance and marketing from George Washington University in 1998. He is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association. He is fluent in Spanish.