LAX REPORTS 2003 YEAR-END PASSENGER, CARGO VOLUMES; TRAVELER VOLUMES DECLINE, AIR CARGO UP 2.23 PERCENT

(Los Angeles, California -- January 30, 2004)  Los Angeles InternationalAirport (LAX) today released year-end statistics showing the airport served 54,956,030 passengers in 2003, down 2.25 percent from the previous year.

Domestic passenger traffic dropped 2.53 percent from 41,378,140 in 2002 to 40,332,127 last year.  International traveler volume was down 1.47 percent from 14,842,038 in 2002 to 14,623,903 last year.

LAX officials attributed the small decrease in passengers for 2003 primarily to the impact of fears over the SARS outbreak in Asia in the first half of the year.  LAX is the largest Pacific Rim gateway airport in the U.S.  International traffic has since recovered, posting a 3 percent gain in December 2003 from December 2002.

Total air cargo (mail and freight) processed at LAX during 2003 was 2,010,351 tons – 2.23 percent higher than 1,966,544 tons in 2002.  The freight (commodities) portion of the total cargo volume was up 2.07 percent from 1,874,368 tons in 2002 to 1,913,159 tons last year. The airmail portion of the total cargo volume was up to 97,193 tons from 92,176 tons in 2002. Airmail shipments remain depressed compared to historical levels primarily due to the federal government imposing tighter restrictions on mail shipments aboard commercial aircraft.    

Aircraft operations (landings and takeoffs) last year totaled 622,378, down 3.57 percent from 645,424 in 2002.  The 2003 level approximates LAX's operational flight volume of 1989.  Declines in landings and takeoffs were posted for general aviation business and charter aircraft (-7.44 percent), air carriers (-3.63 percent) and air taxis or commuters (-3.34 percent).  Military aircraft operations rose (21.09 percent).  

(Statistical tables attached)

(TW - 1/30/04)