ADVISORY: LAX CONDITIONS FOLLOWING POLICE INCIDENT
UPDATE #16/FINAL AT 5:29 p.m. ON SATURDAY, NOV. 2, 2013:
1. All airlines at LAX except one are reporting normal operations. JetBlue, which has been operating at Long Beach Airport today, is scheduled to resume normal operations tomorrow morning.
2. Partner agencies, American Red Cross and L.A. County Department of Mental Health, will conclude on-airport assistance to passengers and airport workers this evening, but will remain accessible to those who may be experiencing emotional distress due to the incident. LACDMH Access Center may be reached by calling (800) 854-7771.
3. Passengers who abandoned personal belongings during yesterday’s evacuations may claim them by contacting their respective airlines at Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
4. Los Angeles Airport Police and Los Angeles Police Department will maintain a law-enforcement unified command at LAX through Sunday night. LAX’s emergency operations center will deactivate at 6 p.m. tonight.
5. The LAX Gateway Pylons along Century Boulevard illuminated blue Friday night and will continue through Sunday night to honor TSA Screening Officer Gerardo I. Hernandez.
6. Follow updates on airport conditions at Twitter accounts: LAX_Official and LAXPD_Alerts
7. FOR MEDIA: LAX Public Relations’ off-hours duty officer may be reached by calling the PR Office at (424) 646-5260, then press “1” when prompted.
UPDATE #15 AT 2:10 p.m. ON SATURDAY, NOV. 2, 2013:
1. LAX is expected to return to normal by the end of today. Vehicular traffic is normal all day.
2. All airlines except those in T-3 are operating normally.
3. Terminal 3 re-opened shortly after 1 p.m. today for flight operations. T-3 airlines (Virgin America, Frontier, JetBlue and Allegiant Air) were operating at other terminals until the re-opening. JetBlue’s flights have been operating at Long Beach Airport – the airline plans to return to LAX this evening.
4. Yesterday, an estimated total 1,550 scheduled flights (arrivals and departures) with estimated 167,050 passengers were impacted due to cancellations, delays, and/or diversions.
5. Today, an estimated total 40 flights (arrivals and departures) are expected to be affected today – about 30 cancellations, 10 delays and zero diversions by T-3 airlines – with estimated 4,000 passengers.
6. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines on flight status before coming to the airport. They should also sign up for flight status alerts on airlines’ websites.
7. Passengers who abandoned personal belongings during yesterday’s evacuations may claim them by checking in with their respective airlines at Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
8. American Red Cross and LA County Department of Mental Health personnel remain at LAX until tonight to assist those needing assistance. LACDMH Access Center may be reached by calling (800) 854-7771.
8. Please follow updates on airport conditions at Twitter accounts: LAX_Official and LAXPD_Alerts
Update #14 at 11:56 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013:
FOR MEDIA ONLY: A news conference is set for 1 p.m. today to bring the public up-to-date on airport conditions and activities as LAX operations recover from yesterday’s police incident. The news conference will take place in the LAWA Administration Building’s Visitors’ Parking Lot between the Administration Building and Parking Structure 1 (same location as yesterday afternoon). Speakers will include: City Councilman Mike Bonin, 11th District; LAWA Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey; and Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon LAX_Official on Twitter will continue to be the official source of information for airport conditions.
Update #13 at 9:53 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013:
Passengers who left personal effects and luggage in Terminal 3 yesterday will be able to retrieve these articles beginning at 10 a.m. today. Affected persons should go to their respective airline ticket counters. LAX_Official on Twitter will continue to be the official source of information for airport conditions.
Update #12 at 8:34 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013:
Parking Structure #3 at LAX has reopened. All parking structures at the airport are now open. LAX_Official on Twitter will continue to be the official source of information for airport conditions.
Update #11 at 7:34 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013:
1. FOR TERMINAL 3 PASSENGERS WHO ABANDONED PERSONAL BELONGINGS DURING EVACUATION: Personal effects will NOT be released to passengers until FBI has completed its investigation and released the terminal for public use. There is no time indicated as to when FBI will complete its investigation.
2. LAX_Official on Twitter will continue to be the official source of information for airport conditions.
Update #10 at 2:18 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013:
This is the last update/advisory for the night. Twitter messages regarding LAX conditions will be distributed by Los Angeles Airport Police at LAXPD_Alerts.
1. The American Red Cross remains on scene tonight to provide cots and other provisions to 29 displaced passengers who have chosen to remain overnight at an undisclosed location in the airport. This number may increase as personnel encounter individuals who need overnight shelter.
2. L.A. County Department of Mental Health personnel remain on airport to assist passengers and airport workers, who may be experiencing emotional distress due to the incident. LACDMH Access Center may be reached by calling (800) 854-7771.
Update #9 at 12:05 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013:
FOR MEDIA ONLY: Media may remain in the LAWA Administration Building Visitors’ Parking Lot until 12 noon on Saturday, November 2. Broadcast-equipped media vehicles displaying valid LAX Media Parking Permits only may park on the Upper/Departures Level between: Terminals 1 and 2; Terminal 3 and Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT); and TBIT and Terminal 4.
Update #8 at 11:40 p.m., Friday, November 1, 2013:
1. From the start of the incident around 9:30 a.m. through 12 midnight tonight, an estimated total 1,550 scheduled flights with estimated 167,050 passengers were impacted today (724 scheduled arrival flights with estimated 67,850 passengers and 826 scheduled departure flights with estimated 99,200 passengers).
2. At this time, 86 of the total arriving flights were diverted to other airports and those airlines are making arrangements for passengers to arrive LAX either tonight or tomorrow by bus or by plane.
3. No international arriving flights were diverted. All departing international flights except one plan to take off this evening. The one exception will postpone takeoff until tomorrow morning.
4. Parking Structure 3 has re-opened for public use.
5. Terminal 3 is expected to remain closed until the law-enforcement investigation concludes. However, airlines in Terminal 3 (Virgin America, Frontier, JetBlue, Allegiant Air, and Spirit) are attempting to make arrangements for use of other LAX terminals or other local airports tomorrow. These airlines do expect delays and/or cancellations in the morning.
6. All other LAX airlines are cautioning passengers that they may have delays, cancellations, or operations at other airports.
7. Passengers of all airlines at LAX are advised to contact their airlines for flight status before coming to the airport, and to sign up for flight status alerts on their respective airlines’ websites.
8. The American Red Cross will remain on scene tonight to provide cots and other provisions to about 15 displaced passengers who have chosen to remain overnight at an undisclosed location in the airport.
Update #7 at 6:21 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013:
1. The Upper and Lower Level roadways in the passenger terminal area are beginning to re-open to ALL vehicles, including personal vehicles. Motorists picking up and dropping off passengers will be allowed to enter the terminal area. The bus transport of passengers from Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to Lot C will stop after the roadways re-open.
2. The American Red Cross are still on scene distributing water and snacks to stranded passengers relocated from Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
3. Passengers stranded at LAX may contact a hotel accommodations hotline established by LA Tourism & Convention Board at 1-888-831-7176.
4. All passengers are advised to contact their airlines for status on their flights. For passengers requiring special assistance:
1. Los Angeles County Mental Health personnel have been on-scene and available for those seeking mental assistance. Please call LA County Mental Health’s hotline at 1-800-854-7771.
2. LA City sign-language interpreters have been on-scene and airlines are providing wheelchairs to passengers as requested.
3. Passengers unable to reclaim personal belongings containing medical supplies/prescriptions should contact LAX’s on-airport medical clinic: Reliant Medical Clinic at 9601 South Sepulveda Blvd. at the intersection of 96th Street and Sepulveda Boulevard or phone (310) 215-6020.
4. LAX_Official on Twitter will continue to be the official source of information for airport conditions.
Update #6 at 5:17 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013:
1. At 4 p.m., the FAA lifted the national ground stop on arriving flights to LAX (i.e., flights from originating airports can now depart for LAX).
2. The passenger terminal area Upper and Lower roadways are still closed to incoming personal vehicles until further notice. However, taxis, limos, courtesy shuttles, FlyAway and long-distance buses and other forms of public transportation are being allowed to enter the passenger terminal area on the Upper and Lower Levels to pick up and drop off passengers.
3. Motorists picking up passengers are directed to go to LAX Economy Parking Lot C at the intersection of 98th Street and Sepulveda Blvd. until the passenger terminal area roadways re-open. Arriving passengers from Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are either leaving the airport in their own parked vehicles or being bussed to Lot C to meet motorists picking them up.
4. Terminal 3 and Parking Structure 3 will remain closed until the law enforcement investigation concludes and cleared. The airlines in Terminal 3 (Virgin America, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant Air) have voluntarily cancelled all their arriving and departing flights for the rest of today. Passengers with personal belongings abandoned in Terminal 3 and/or with vehicles parked in Parking Structure 3 should expect several more hours – or evening tomorrow – to be able to reclaim their personal belongings or their vehicles.
5. Impacted flights: Between 9:30 am and 3 pm, there were 268 scheduled arrival flights with estimated 20,000 passengers affected —many of which were held at their originating airports. At this time, 46 arrival flights were diverted to other airports in the region with an estimated 5,000 passengers. There were 478 scheduled departure flights with an estimated 51,210 affected passengers. Total arriving, diverted, and departing passengers: 76,000 passengers.
6. Passengers stranded at LAX may contact a hotel accommodations hotline established by LA Tourism & Convention Board at 1-888-831-7176.
7. Terminals 1 and 2 (and Parking Structures 1 and 2) are re-opened so that employees first, then passengers who are already at the airport are re-entering the terminals for departing flights.
8. All passengers are advised to contact their airlines for status on their flights.
9. LAX_Official on Twitter will continue to be the official source of information for airport conditions.
Update #5 at 3:43 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013:
1. Motorists meeting and picking up passengers are directed to LAX Economy Parking Lot C. Passengers will be transported by bus to Lot C within two hours.
2. Stranded passengers who may need hotel accommodations should contact an LA Tourism & Convention Board hotline at: 1-888-831-7176.
3. All passengers are advised to contact their airlines for status of their flights. LAX_Official on Twitter will continue to be the official source of information for airport conditions.
Update #4 at 3:04 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013:
1. Phasing of the re-openings of Terminals 1 and 2, as well as the parking structures, will begin shortly. Passengers in those two terminals who wish to leave the airport are being allowed to do so by either walking out of the airport or driving their parked vehicles out.
2. Once the terminals are re-opened, the terminals will be repopulated with airport workers first, then departing passengers will be allowed to re-enter the terminals. Personal belongings abandoned during the evacuation can be claimed in the baggage claim areas of the terminals in which they were abandoned.
3. Because the incident occurred in Terminal 3 and an investigation continues in that terminal and in Parking Structure 3, those two facilities will continue to be closed to the public. Until Terminal 3 is re-opened, operations of the airlines in that terminal will be relocated to another terminal.
4. All passengers are advised to contact their airlines for status of their flights.
5. LAX_Official on Twitter will continue to be the official source of information for airport conditions.
Update #3 at 1:19 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013:
1. The FAA has issued a ground-stop, or hold, for all arriving flights that have not yet departed from their originating airports TO LAX. Arriving flights already in the air are either landing at LAX or diverting to other airports in the local region. The FAA ground-stop does not affect departure flights.
2. All airport roadways are still closed until further notice. In the meantime, all motorists are advised to not drive to the passenger terminal area.
3. The California Highway Patrol reports they have closed the entrances and exits on I-405 and I-105 to the airport.
4. Airport officials report ALL departure flights from Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are delayed until further notice. As soon as those terminals are “cleared” by law enforcement, flights will be allowed to depart LAX. Passengers who were in those three terminals and already processed through federal security screening at the onset of the incident were relocated to other terminals for sheltering in place while law enforcement officials conduct their investigation.
5. As Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are “cleared,” those passengers will be returned to those terminals.
6. L.A. City sign-language interpreters and L.A. County Department of Mental Health personnel are on-scene to assist those passengers with disabilities or experiencing emotional distress due to the incident.
7. Water has been delivered to passengers in the relocation areas.
8. Some airlines at TBIT, Terminals 4, 5,6,7,and 8 have temporarily suspended departing flights because their passengers cannot reach their terminals.
9. All passengers are advised to contact their airlines for status of their flights. 10. LAX_Official on Twitter will continue to be the official source of information for airport conditions.
10. For media: Media staging site is now located at the LAWA Administration Building Visitors’ Parking Lot before Parking Structure 1 on the Lower/Arrivals Roadway.
Update#2 at 10:57 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013:
Suspect is now in custody. Multiple victims. Press conference today at 11:30 a.m. at entrance to LAX located at Sepulveda Blvd and Century Blvd with Airport Police Chief Gannon, LAPD Police Chief Beck and Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti.
Update #1 at 10:42 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013:
All Upper/Departures Level roadways are temporarily blocked by law enforcement. The general public is being held back at law enforcement block. Other than arriving flights, flight operations have been temporary held. Correction: As soon as law enforcement allows, media broadcast-equipped vans will be allowed to park between Terminals 1 and 2 Upper/Departures Level. Initial statement at 9:51 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013: Airport officials confirm a police incident began about 9:30 a.m. at Terminal 3 at LAX. LAX_Official on Twitter will be the official source of information for airport conditions. More info to come… A
