Los Angeles International airport has surpassed 2019 passenger numbers for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airport achieved the milestone twice last month, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening 111,017 passengers on 9 October (compared to 107,675 on the same day in 2019), and 94,686 passengers on 10 October (compared to 94,211).
The figures were made possible due to increased load factors, as available seats on current LAX flights are still only at 88 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
The airport currently offers flights to 85 domestic destinations (compared to 93 in 2019), and 75 international destinations (compared to 83 in 2019).
“The remarkable milestone of surpassing pre-pandemic passenger volume is an achievement that Los Angeles World Airports celebrates with our employees, guests, and airport partners,” said Bea Hsu, interim chief executive officer, Los Angeles World Airports.
“Over the course of the last few years, we have been dedicated to building resiliency and laying the foundation for a full recovery.
“The fall travel season is already taking off at the highest levels since 2019, and LAX looks forward to more record-setting days as we welcome passengers into the Thanksgiving and winter holidays.”
Earlier this month Heathrow airport reported its highest ever September passenger figures, and the first time since February 2020 that monthly passenger figures had exceeded the equivalent period in 2019.
Airports Council International (ACI World) recently forecast for 2024 to be “a milestone for global passenger traffic recovery”, with figures reaching 9.4 billion passengers, equating to 102.5 per cent of the 9.2 billion recorded in 2019.
