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Memorial Day Weekend underway at LAX
Many opted to travel during the holiday weekend with eased coronavirus guidelines across the nation. FOX 11's Mario Ramirez gives us a preview of LAX ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
LOS ANGELES - Many travelers flocked to the airports and roadways in Southern California as coronavirus restrictions have eased nationwide, allowing for safer travel for the holiday weekend.
With air traffic getting busier in the late stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles International Airport officials warned that terminals will likely be busy during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and travelers should plan ahead.
"We are seeing passenger numbers rise quickly as the demand for air travel surges across the U.S., so we want to make sure our guests know they will be returning to an airport that is bustling with travelers and at times experiencing heavy traffic,'' said Justin Erbacci, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that oversees LAX. "LAX is ready and excited to welcome back our guests to an airport that is safe and clean with new technology and amenities that offer a more touchless passenger experience.''
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Locals expect busy roadways, airports during Memorial Day weekend
According to airport officials, May has been the busiest month at LAX since early 2020 before the onset of the pandemic, with an average of 61,400 passengers passing through security checkpoints each day. That is only about half of the passenger volume from the same period in 2019, but airport officials said it is still significantly higher than it has been during the pandemic.
On Sunday, 74,881 passengers moved through security checkpoints, a record for this year, according to the airport.
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LAX officials did not release any passenger projections for the Memorial Day weekend. But the Automobile Club of Southern California this month predicted that more than 2.8 million Southern California residents will be traveling over the holiday weekend, up 64% from last year. Nearly 90% of all travelers are expected to drive to their destinations, but about 9% -- roughly 269,000 people -- will fly.
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Traffic to increase over Memorial Day weekend
It's the beginning of summer and as COVID-19 infection rates decrease, more and more people are getting out of the house and starting to travel again. If you plan to leave Southern California you can expect to see lots of traffic on the freeways.
"These holiday getaway numbers are very encouraging, and we expect travel to continue to strengthen once cruising and other options reopen,'' said Filomena Andre, the Auto Club's vice president for travel. "Because COVID-19 restrictions can vary widely from place to place and can change quickly, the Auto Club strongly recommends getting travel insurance and working with a AAA travel adviser.''
According to the Auto Club, the top destinations for Southern California travelers are expected to be Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, San Diego and Yosemite National Park.
LAX officials urged airline travelers to arrive early, noting that parking garages are likely to fill beginning early Friday. They also offered a reminder that face masks are required at all times at the airport, even for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Face masks can be removed while eating and drinking.