LAX Officials Expect 1.8 Million Passengers for Thanksgiving Holiday Period

"With about two percent fewer flights and seats and the same number of people traveling this year as did last year, the planes will be packed on almost all days," said Lydia H. Kennard, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports.

Airlines are forecasting passenger load factors approaching 100 percent on most domestic flights, with the busiest days expected to be the day before the holiday, Thanksgiving morning and the following Sunday, according to Kennard. "The passenger volumes are flat year-over-year due to higher air fares and major domestic airlines trimming flight schedules due to record-high fuel costs," Kennard told reporters at a news conference at LAX.

Ontario International Airport is expected to match last year's level of 200,000 passengers, while Palmdale Regional Airport -- which is now offering service to North Las Vegas Airport -- did not have scheduled air service in the same period last year. Airport officials said they believe safety and security improvements made this year will help to speed along the screening process during the holiday travel period, which runs between Nov. 18 and Nov. 28.

"I'm not saying that there won't be lines. I'm not saying that there won't be crowds at the airport. I think that would be naive," said Lawrence Fetters, federal security director at LAX. "But I think it's going to be a better experience overall than it has been in the last three travel seasons."

Eight more passenger screening lanes have been added at LAX this year, bringing the number to nearly 60 -- the most of any U.S. airport, officials said.

Passengers traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday period are urged to:
-- arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights;
-- pack ahead of time to make sure prohibited items, including lighters, have not been left in luggage;
-- leave holiday gifts and large packages unwrapped so they can be easily inspected;
-- mark luggage and personal items with a name and cell phone number, and remain attentive to belongings while in the airport;
-- be prepared to take off shoes and jackets in conjunction with the screening process;
-- print boarding passes off an airline's Web site, especially if one is only traveling with carry-on baggage; and
-- use designated transportation services.

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