NEW LAX PASSENGER OUTREACH CAMPAIGN UNVEILED “Reflections” Campaign to Inform Passengers About Ongoing Airport Improvements

(Los Angeles, California- March 22, 2012) On the heels of the recent launch of the public education outreach program, branded “LAneXt ™, ” today Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey joined customer service employees and volunteers to unveil a new, in-terminal passenger communications effort at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

            The “Reflections” campaign features a series of airport stakeholders (travelers, police officer, pilot, construction worker) with reflective surfaces such as sunglasses, windows and binoculars.  The “future” of LAX is reflected in the various surfaces.

            In January, LAWA launched the LAneXt ™ campaign, to inform and educate the public about the more than $4 billion in construction currently underway at the airport.  The “Reflections” in-terminal campaign will now bring that message to travelers.

            As part of the new passenger communications efforts, LAX customer service workers now wear buttons that read “Ask Me About LAneXt…” to encourage passengers to learn more about the improvements coming to the airport.  The buttons include Quick Response (QR) codes that passengers can scan with smartphones and be directed to www.la-next.com, where they can learn more about the ongoing improvements.  Customer service employees and volunteers distributed LAneXt ™ luggage tags on both the arrival and departure levels of Terminal 1.

            The crown jewel of the LAneXt ™ program is the $1.7-billion New Tom Bradley

International Terminal (TBIT), which is scheduled to open in 2013.  The New TBIT will have 18 new gates, nine of which will be able to handle larger, new-generation aircraft like the Airbus A-380.  The project includes $600 million in direct improvements to passenger safety and security and 150,000 square feet of new retail and dining options and other passenger amenities.

            “We are excited about the improvements happening at the airport, and we want to make sure everyone knows about it, especially passengers who are most impacted by the construction”, stated Lindsey.  “The new ‘Reflections’ campaign ‘reflects’ what is yet to come, allowing our passengers to join in the excitement of the future, while tolerating the inconveniences of today.  LAX will be safer, more convenient, and more energy efficient – all of which will greatly improve the airport experience for travelers.”

            The Reflections campaign is one component of LAX’s larger public education campaign, branded “LAneXt™”, which also includes an informative and interactive website (www.la-next.com) with information about what is happening at LAX, when to expect improvements, and how to benefit.  The ongoing construction at LAX will create nearly 40,000 jobs locally and the finished program will ensure its ongoing economic benefit in the region.

            The various construction projects at LAX are being funded by a combination of revenue bonds, LAX revenue and capital improvement funds, passenger facility charges, airline capital for proprietary improvements, and federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (airfield improvements) and Transportation Security Administration (in-line baggage screening improvements).   No monies from the Los Angeles City general fund are being used.   

About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 

            Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the sixth busiest airport in the world and third in the United States, offering more than 600 daily flights to 91 domestic cities and over 1,000 weekly nonstop flights to 56 international destinations on nearly 75 air carriers.   It ranks 13th in the world in air cargo tonnage processed.  In 2011, LAX served more than 61 million passengers, processed over 1.8 million tons of air cargo valued at nearly $80 billion, and handled 603,912 aircraft operations (landings and takeoffs).   LAX is part of a system of three Southern California airports – along with LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.

            For more information about the improvements at LAX, please visit www.la-next.com.