American’s 767-300 N372AA taxis with the LAX control tower and Raytheon building in the background. (Photo by Phil Derner Jr.)
American Airlines and American Eagle on Wednesday announced that they will increase departures and add ten new destinations from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
In addition, American Eagle said that it will expand its terminal at LAX with $20 million in improvements. The terminal, which was opened last year, will be improved with four more gates that are expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to superior service and travel choices for our customers to and from Los Angeles,” said Virasb Vahidi, American’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Los Angeles has long been an important market for American and American Eagle and is a critical international gateway for us as well as our oneworld Alliance partners.”
The new destinations, 9 domestic and one international will increase the round trips by 33. The new routes to depart from LAX are Albuquerque, El Paso, Houston, Boise, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Sacramento and Tucson. The international route will connect Los Angeles with the city of Shangai, China.
The additions will translate in 153 daily departures at LAX, a 28 percent increase by the end of 2011. The new international departure will complement the 18 destinations offered by the oneworld alliance members at LAX.
“I would like to thank American Airlines for strengthening their commitment to Los Angeles by bringing more flights into our great city and spurring economic development by investing $20 million into their terminal,” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. “Los Angeles, an international global destination, is proud to partner with American Airlines to connect more people and to provide more jobs for hard-working Angelenos.”
The oneworld alliance estimates that its expanded service will add approximately $600 million per year in local economic impact, increasing its total annual economic impact in Los Angeles to approximately $6 billion.
