LAEDC Supports LAX Consensus Plan and Pledges to Continue Working On A Regional Airport Strategy

For the first time since the LA Summer Olympics in 1984 has the city come up with a LAX Expansion Plan everyone can live with.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 17, 2004 -- The Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) voted overwhelmingly today (Tuesday, June 15, 2004) to support the Consensus Plan" for LAX sponsored by Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski.

The Consensus Plan is highly responsive to the issues raised by the LAEDC last November 3, 2003 regarding Mayor Hahns Alternative D," said Chairman Viggo Butler of the LAEDCs Airport Task Force.

It reorders the priorities in a logical manner and provides the flexibility to reconsider the more costly and controversial elements like the Manchester Square Ground Transportation Center and the elimination of Terminals One, Two and Three which we continue to oppose."

The Consensus Plan also identifies the need for a Regional Airport Plan, which the LAEDC has advocated for the past three years as a critical element of our 60 Mile Circle Report,"explained Robert Hertzberg, chairman of the LAEDC. We need to develop regional support for additional passenger and air cargo service at other airports in Southern California. LAX cannot handle all future growth."

Butler, former COO of Lockheed World Airports, noted that passenger convenience is the key to attract flyers to other airports. This is why the LAEDC has been such a strong supporter of remote flyaway check-in locations where passengers can obtain seat assignments, check luggage for their flight and be transported by comfortable, swift, diamond lane buses to their airport gate. A well-planned flyaway system would enable a passenger to leave from one airport and return to another, depending upon available flights, to meet business or travel needs.

The LAEDC and the Reason Foundation studied this option and issued a report recommending implementation three years ago as a near-term means of reducing traffic at LAX and increasing use of other regional airports like Ontario.

The LAEDC is now working on a multi-county public-private effort that will better distribute passengers and cargo throughout our rail and regional airport systems. We are committed to creating multi-jurisdictional public-private partnerships to enhance the economic development and quality of life in the region.," Hertzberg said.

Editors: For interviews and images contact: George Mc Quade or Aida Mayo at MAYO Communications at: 818.340.5300 or 818.618.9229 or PR@MayoCommunications.com .

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