MORE THAN 1.75 MILLION TRAVELERS TO PASS THROUGH LAX DURING YEAR-END HOLIDAY SEASON

12/22/2006 12:00 AM

MORE THAN 1.75 MILLION TRAVELERS TO PASS THROUGH LAX DURING YEAR-END HOLIDAY SEASON

 

(Los Angeles, CA – December 22, 2006) More than 1.75 million travelers are expected to pass through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the annual year-end holiday season that begins Friday, Dec. 22, and continues through Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007.

This year’s holiday-period total of air travelers at LAX is expected to rival, but not exceed, last year’s count of 1.77 million. At LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT), the passenger total during the holidays is expected to reach approximately 200,000, also a little less than last year’s total of 209,000.

Airport officials believe passenger volumes have not increased this year because load factors were at record levels last year and airlines have not added additional capacity due to high fuel costs and a desire to increase profitability.

The busiest travel days during this holiday period are expected to be the three days before Christmas and the weekend ending Jan. 2, when airlines are forecasting almost full to maximum capacity on most of their flights.

Airport officials recommend passengers departing LAX during daily peak travel periods from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., arrive at their airline ticketing lobby two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

Persons traveling from ONT are asked to arrive at the airport 1-1/2 hours before domestic flights and two hours before international flights serving Mexico.

Travelers using LAX will experience improved passenger conveniences, such as remote airline and baggage check-in service at the Union Station and Van Nuys FlyAway Stations, Los Angeles Convention Center and Port of Los Angeles, as well as valet parking at Lots 4 and 6 across from the same-numbered terminals on the Lower/Arrivals Level. Non-stop FlyAway bus service to LAX is provided at Van Nuys and Union Station only. For more information on FlyAway services, call I-866-I FLY LAX (866-435-9529).

 

    Other LAX amenities include:
  • Four more passenger screening lanes have been added in an effort to expedite passage through the security lines. This brings the total number of screening lanes at LAX to 68, the most at any U.S. airport.
  • Zip Through LAX, a program that provides plastic bags to travelers to hold coins, cell phones, keys, pens and other metallic items in order to facilitate passenger security screening. The bag dispensers are located in all terminals.
  • To help motorists avoid traffic congestion in the Central Terminal Area, the LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot, located at 9011 Airport Boulevard, offers a free waiting alternative where motorists can wait for arriving passengers to call them on their cell phones and then drive to the curbside for pickup.

    New passenger amenities and safety and security enhancements at ONT include:
  • More pricing rate options available for economy and daily parking.
  • Airport "Ambassadors" to assist travelers at curbside and in the terminals with information about airport services and security requirements.
  • Additional rental car agencies offering on-airport service at the facility.

 

Motorists driving to LAX and ONT can obtain the latest information on airport conditions, freeway/road conditions in and around the two airports, current security status, available parking, and airline terminal locations 24 hours a day on LAX AiRadio at 530 AM and on ONT AiRadio at 770 AM.

Information on all of the services and amenities available to passengers at LAX and ONT can be found at www.lawa.org. A comprehensive list of what passengers can and cannot pack in checked luggage or carry onboard is available at www.tsa.gov.

Airport security officials also remind passengers of the federal air travel 3-1-1 rule for liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on bags: 3-ounce or smaller size containers of liquids, gels or aerosols can be placed in a one-quart size clear plastic zip-top bag, with one bag permitted per traveler.

LAX and ONT are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a City of Los Angeles department that also owns and operates LA/Palmdale Regional Airport and Van Nuys Airport.

 

 

 

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