AIRPORT COMMISSIONER FLIES SCENIC AIR OUT OF PALMDALE;
TOUTS AIRPORT AS OPTION TO FLYING OUT OF LAX

(Los Angeles, California – October 17, 2005) A lot of people talk about Palmdale Regional Airport being an alternative for travelers who have traditionally used Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but new Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioner Valeria Velasco decided to check it out for herself.

Velasco met last weekend with Palmdale Mayor James C. Ledford, Jr., and received a comprehensive tour of the 17,000-acre airport by Los Angeles World Airports officials before boarding a Scenic Airlines flight to Las Vegas.

"We had so much fun," Velasco said after the flight. "There’s 17,000 acres out there, and you just don’t know how big that really is unless you go see it for yourself. You could put five LAXs out at Palmdale."

Velasco said she hopes Palmdale Airport could soon be the home of many passenger flights – a move that would relieve congestion at LAX, the world’s fifth busiest airport. Velasco said Palmdale could be a key component in dealing with Southern California’s air traffic crunch.

Los Angeles World Airports is a City of Los Angeles department that oversees operations at LAX and Palmdale, as well as airports in Ontario and Van Nuys.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has said his goals are to increase the safety of air operations under the control of LAWA, decrease reliance on LAX, and develop a regional plan so no one area bears the full weight of meeting Southern California's air-passenger needs.

Paul Haney, LAWA's deputy executive director for public and community affairs, called Velasco's use of Palmdale Regional Airport "symbolic." He added, "It is demonstrating in a tangible way a commitment to a regional solution to overcrowding at LAX."

Palmdale’s Mayor Ledford agreed, noting that Commissioner Velasco "is an advocate for a regional approach to airport development in Southern California, and we think an advocate that will help us move forward with some opportunities for growth here."

Ledford added, "I think Mayor Villaraigosa has been pretty good about bringing people to the airport board who are looking to champion a regional approach."

"Palmdale Regional Airport is fantastic," Velasco said. "There’s free parking. You pull right up to the curb. It’s relaxing and customer-friendly. I really hope Scenic is successful and that other airlines follow their lead."

Scenic Airlines, based in Las Vegas, operates one flight a day from Palmdale to North Las Vegas Airport. According to Velasco, fares are a bit more expensive when flying out of Palmdale, but the airport commissioner said the savings in time and stress are well worth a few extra bucks.

"If I go to Las Vegas again, I will definitely fly from Palmdale," she said. "It was a great experience."