FEWER TRAVELERS EXPECTED AT LAX FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

         (Los Angeles, California – May 21, 2009)  Los Angeles World Airports officials expect 730,000 passengers to pass through Los AngelesInternationalAirport (LAX) during the Memorial Day travel period May 22-25, a decline of 10 percent compared to 2008.

            The drop in travelers for this traditional start of the summer travel season is attributed to airlines offering fewer seats in the Los Angeles market compared to last year, the effect of the global recession, and U.S. consumers less willing to spend because of economic uncertainty.

            The year-over-year decline is predominantly due to airlines continuing to offer fewer LAX flights, a trend that began last September in response to the economic downtown. Still, airlines are reporting they will operate their aircraft at near capacity on many flights during the Memorial Day holiday and during the summer season.

            LAX passengers will experience more choices among airlines this summer with new carriers entering the market and others adding to their existing service. Examples are Allegiant Air flying directly to 13 cities in smaller U.S. markets, JetBlue Airways starting service to New York and Boston on June 17, and Emirates Airline now flying daily to Dubai.  Additionally, two airlines start new service July 1 -- Volaris begins flying from Mexico and Delta Air Lines inaugurates flights to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Sydney, Australia.