Nearly Two Million Travelers Expected to Pass Through LAX, 225,000 Through ONT During Year-End Holiday Season

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - December 20, 2007) - Nearly 2 million travelers are expected to pass through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the annual year-end holiday season that begins Friday, Dec. 21, and continues through Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. This year's holiday period total of air travelers is forecast to exceed last year's comparable period by 3 percent.

At LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT), more than 225,000 passengers are expected this holiday season, an increase of 5 percent over last year.

LA/Palmdale Regional Airport, which opened on June 7, offers Antelope Valley travelers two daily roundtrip jet flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on United Express. At SFO, passengers can make easy connections to scores of international and domestic destinations.

The busiest travel days during this holiday period are expected to be the three days before Christmas and Jan. 2, when airlines forecast flights to be nearly or 100 percent booked.

LAX passengers will experience improved conveniences, such as the expansion of non-stop FlyAway bus service from Westwood, in addition to established service from Van Nuys and Union Station. The cost is $4 one way for adults. Travelers from the Westwood and Van Nuys FlyAway locations also can obtain airline boarding passes and check baggage for a separate $5 fee -- allowing them to go straight to passenger security screening when they arrive at their terminal.

Passengers can enjoy a meal at the re-opened Encounter Restaurant in the heart of LAX. It is open for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner on Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Other new amenities at each terminal include wireless Internet service (Wi-Fi) and electric charging stations for portable electronics.

International passengers processing through customs and immigration at the Tom Bradley International Terminal will experience a brighter, spacious and more modern facility with the opening last week of the first of a three-phase renovation to the customs arrivals hall. Upgrades include brighter and more energy-efficient lighting, new temperature controls, larger and more efficient baggage-claim carousels, new work spaces and computers for customs and immigration agents to process inbound passengers, new luggage inspection stations, new digital communications wiring, new utilities and plumbing, and new restrooms. The second phase of renovations in the customs arrivals hall will begin soon to be completed Fall 2008.

Airport officials recommend passengers departing LAX arrive at their airline ticketing lobby two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights, especially during daily peak travel periods from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. With winter weather conditions across the U.S. , passengers also should check with their airlines before coming to the airport to ensure their flights are on time.

Travelers at LA/Ontario International Airport are urged to arrive at the airport 1-1/2 hours before domestic flights and two hours before international flights serving Mexico.