Volume at L.A. Airports Same as ’07

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Almost 20 million passengers are expected to pass through Los Angeles International Airport during the summer travel season, crowding terminals and filling flights to near capacity, LAX officials said Tuesday, the L.A. Times reports.


Overall, however, passenger volumes at LAX will be about the same as last summer as rising ticket prices and the nation’s economic downturn cut demand for domestic air travel. The reduction is expected to be balanced by increasing foreign flights.


“We are looking for a flat year this summer,” said Deputy Airport Director Paul Haney. “In the face of record fuel costs, the airlines have begun to trim their flight schedules and this is resulting in fewer seats and higher airfares.”


Airport and federal officials will hold a news conference today at LAX to lay out their expectations regarding air traffic in the months ahead.


The summer travel season begins Memorial Day weekend when about 820,000 passengers are expected to arrive at or depart from LAX. The busiest days will be Friday and Monday.


Airport officials predict that LAX will handle about 19.6 million passengers through Sept. 8, including those taking to the skies during the Memorial Day weekend.


More than 61 million people a year use the airport, which is operated by Los Angeles World Airports.


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