LOS ANGELES AIRPORT FORECASTS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TO BE BUSIEST PERIOD THIS YEAR; OFFERS SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS

05/20/2003 12:00 AM

LOS ANGELES AIRPORT FORECASTS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TO BE BUSIEST PERIOD THIS YEAR; OFFERS SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS

 

(Los Angeles, California -- May 20, 2002) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) officials are forecasting the busiest travel period thus far this year during the Memorial Day weekend, although passenger traffic is expected to be slightly lower than during the same holiday period last year.

To mark the start of the busy summer travel season, an estimated 660,000 passengers will depart and arrive at LAX between Friday, May 23 and Monday, May 27. This compares with about 700,000 during the same holiday period last year (5.7 percent down from 2002) and the record 825,000 passengers during the four-day weekend in 2001 (20 percent down from 2001).

Officials said passenger levels this summer are expected to be lower because airlines have reduced flight schedules (the number of available flights) worldwide to cope with airline industry financial woes. At LAX, flight schedules will be down about seven percent compared with last summer. Also impacting passenger levels at LAX are lingering concerns about travel to and from some Asian countries due to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), as U.S. and international public health officials advise restricting travel to SARS-impacted areas.

Airport officials forecast LAX will serve approximately 16.7 million passengers from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. This is a decrease of approximately five percent from the same period last year when 17.6 million passengers moved through LAX and down 18 percent compared with summer 2001 before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, paralyzed the nation's air transportation system and prompted a slowdown in air travel.

Airlines serving LAX report strong bookings for domestic flights and most international destinations, except to Asian countries where SARS has been a concern. With flight schedules reduced and fares remaining relatively low, airline load factors (the number of passengers per flight) are expected to be high throughout the summer.

Summer Travel Tips

With families traveling for summer vacations and taking advantage of outdoor sports and other activities, airport officials offer the following travel tips to help passengers speed through LAX:

  • Put all undeveloped film and videotape, and cameras with film and videotape in carry-on baggage. Checked-baggage screening equipment will damage or destroy undeveloped film and recorded videos.

  • ALL fireworks and other hazardous materials are prohibited in checked or carry-on baggage. Some aerosol canisters are flammable or may explode under pressure. Consider using pump-sprays for suntan lotion, bug repellant, hair spray and other personal care products.

  • Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item. Personal items include laptops, purses, backpacks, briefcases, diaper bags and camera cases.

  • Bring a government-issued photo identification for all travelers 18 years and older.

  • Place identification tags in and on all baggage, including sports equipment.

  • Clean sports equipment (such as golf clubs) of any fertilizers or other chemicals that may set off explosive detection equipment.

  • Pack any sports equipment that could be used as a weapon (such as baseball bats, bowling balls, scuba spears, fishing knives, lacrosse sticks or pucks) in checked luggage.

  • Call the airline to learn its baggage policy, including limits on number of pieces, weight and size.

  • Parents and legal custodians can make arrangements with airlines to escort minor children traveling unaccompanied by an adult to and from aircraft boarding gates. Otherwise, ticketed passengers only with a valid boarding pass are allowed beyond passenger screening checkpoints.

  • Call your airline to confirm your flight and to learn how early you should arrive for check-in. Allow sufficient time for parking, transport to the terminals and security screening.

  • If parking your vehicle, store belongings out of view, lock the car and take the parking ticket.

  • While at the airport, watch personal belongings at all times. Do not leave belongings unattended.

  • For a complete list of items prohibited from either carry-on or checked baggage, visit the Transportation Security Administration website at www.TSATravelTips.us.

  • For more information about LAX, including current conditions, visit the airport's website at www.lawa.org, call (310) 646-5260, or listen to AiRadio 530 AM.

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