LOS ANGELES, Dec. 23, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Los Angeles World Airports today announced that all curbside drop-off and pick-up of passengers in the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Central Terminal Area (CTA) will be suspended through the remainder of the current holiday period. All private vehicles entering the CTA roadways will be required to park in the parking structures.
The action, ordered by Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn, was taken after consultation with local and federal security officials to minimize risks associated with unattended vehicles at the curbside and to facilitate access to the terminal by emergency vehicles if necessary. In addition, all vehicles entering the CTA will be subject to search.
Airport officials said the new traffic plan balances the needs of ensuring aviation security and the personal safety of everyone at LAX while minimizing inconvenience to travelers.
Here is how the LAX CTA will operate through January 4, 2004:
ARRIVING PASSENGERS: On the Lower/Arrival Level, the lanes nearest the parking structures will be used by private vehicles. The remaining lanes nearest the ground transportation islands will be reserved for LAX shuttle buses; the Van Nuys FlyAway and other direct-to-airport buses; and courtesy shuttle vans and buses operated by private, off-airport parking lots, rental car agencies, and hotels.
The three lanes between the ground transportation islands and the passenger terminals will be reserved for commercial, permitted ground transportation vehicles such as taxis, limousines for hire, and door-to-door shuttle vans, as well as for emergency vehicles. Meeters-and-greeters in private vehicles will be required to park in one of the parking structures. They can meet their parties in the baggage claim areas or terminal curbside.
DEPARTING PASSENGERS: On the Upper/Departure Level, the two through lanes nearest the parking structures will be reserved for private vehicles. The remaining two lanes adjacent to the passenger terminals will be reserved for commercial, permitted ground transportation vehicles. Private vehicles entering the Central Terminal Area to drop off passengers only will be required to park in a parking structure. Short-term and daily parking are allowed in the parking structures.
Vehicles with disabled placards and license plates will not be allowed to pick up or drop off passengers curbside. These vehicles must park in the parking structures.
Barriers will be installed to separate private vehicles from commercial vehicles.
Airport officials urge passengers to use commercial public transportation such as taxis, door-to-door shuttle vans, public buses, Metro Rail Green Line via Aviation Boulevard Station, Van Nuys FlyAway and other direct-to-airport buses, and limousines for hire. Passengers also are advised to use private parking lots located off-airport and to take their courtesy shuttle buses to the passenger terminals.
All vehicles entering the terminal areas at LAX and ONT will be subject to inspection. At LAX, Los Angeles Airport Police have established vehicle checkpoints (similar to sobriety checkpoints) at three of the four entrances to the airport's Central Terminal Area: (1) westbound Century Boulevard, (2) 96th Street and (3) northbound Sepulveda Boulevard, north of the Sepulveda Tunnel. The fourth entrance at southbound Sepulveda Boulevard at Century Boulevard is closed to all vehicles except those accessing the private parking lot, Park One.
Airport officials urge travelers to allow additional time for vehicle, passenger and baggage screening. LAWA recommends passengers allow 2 1/2 hours for airport security measures for domestic flights and 3 1/2 hours for international flights through the current holiday period.
For up-to-date information about ground transportation, parking, and general status of airport operations, please call toll free 1-888-544-9444, or visit the airport's Internet website at www.lawa.org, or tune radios to LAX's AiRadio 530AM traffic information station.