BOARD OF AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS RATIFY LAX MASTER PLAN LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT

(Los Angeles, California – December 19, 2005) The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today agreed to a proposed settlement of lawsuits against the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Master Plan.

The historic settlement in principle was announced Dec. 1 by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, and is subject to approval by the Los Angeles City Council and the plaintiffs -- the city councils of Culver City, El Segundo and Inglewood; the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; and the board of the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion (ARSAC).

After final approval, expected by mid-January, the plaintiffs will dismiss their state and federal lawsuits, beginning an extraordinary era of peace between the airport and the surrounding communities.

Mayor Villaraigosa, who is credited for having brought the parties together on Sept. 29 to begin settlement talks, has hailed the global settlement as a major breakthrough in enhancing and protecting the quality of life of LAX neighbors, while still improving airport safety and operations at the international gateway airport.