Los Angeles World Airports Hails FAA Announcement of $38.8 Million Grant to Improve Runway Safety at LAX

LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 08/05/2005 -- Los Angles World Airports (LAWA) today hailed the announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it will provide $38.8 million for the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) South Airfield Improvement Project as a significant step in improving public safety at the City's international air gateway.

"We are convinced the safety of travelers, employees and neighbors at LAX will be significantly improved when the LAX South Airfield project is completed," said Kim Day, LAWA's executive director.

During his recent trip to Washington, D.C., Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa met with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey to lobby for federal funding for major transportation projects in the Southland.

"There is agreement that moving forward with the reconfiguration of the LAX south airfield is vital to improving safety. We are pleased the FAA is giving us tangible evidence of its commitment to this project by providing a significant federal grant," Day said. She added, "We are very grateful to Secretary Mineta and Administrator Blakey for making LAX a priority for federal funding."