CURRENT NEWS ISSUES
This page last updated on April 20, 2003
Airport Capacity
- LAX
What is the capacity of LAX?
Past
The Los Angeles World Airways website gives this brief history of LAX:
"Commercial airline service started in December 1946. The present terminal complex was constructed in 1961. In the early 1980s, LAX added domestic and international terminals and a second-level roadway."
NY Times, January 14, 2002
"The Los Angeles airport underwent its last major expansion in 1984, for the Olympics. Its capacity then was 40 million passengers a year. In 2001 it handled an estimated 62 million passengers."
The NY Times is unclear but the 40 MAP capacity 'then' means before the 1984 expansion.
LA Times, March 7, 2002
"Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn has proposed that LAX's planned expansion be limited to 78 million passengers a year. The volume is now about 61 million. But LAX expansion opponents said Wednesday that they oppose adding passengers to the facility's aging infrastructure, already at 52% over the capacity it was built to serve in 1960." (i.e. 40 MAP in 1960)
Present
SCAG Regional Transportation Plan - April 2001
"LAX is constrained under this scenario to its existing physical capacity,
estimated at 78 million annual passengers."
Los Angeles World Airports report to SCAG Aviation Task Force.
The runways can handle 89 MAP but the Mayor Hahn's plan is to limit
the airport to 78 MAP by reducing the number of gates. January
16, 2003 report.
Future, without expansion.
FAA Airports Capacity Benchmarks Report - 2001
"Technology and procedural improvements are expected to improve the Los Angeles capacity benchmark by 11% (165-167 flights per hour) over the next 10 years, while the adverse weather capacity benchmark will increase by 4% (132-133 flights per hour)."
Airport capacity depends upon factors other than terminal size or runway configuration. For example, capacity depends on aircraft mix and air traffic control procedures. Newer larger aircraft and technology can increase an airport's capacity to carry passengers.
In 2001, LAX handled 674,508 "revenue related operationsd exclusive of cargo" or an average of 77 per hour around the clock.