Record 2.1 Million Passengers Expected To Travel Through LAX During Thanksgiving Week

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Around 2.1 million passengers are expected to travel through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the week of Thanksgiving, Mayor Eric Garcetti said Tuesday.

This year's record number of passengers should increase 6.9 percent over last year's total of 1.96 million passengers, Garcetti added.

"We recommend airport guests reduce the stress of holiday travel by planning ahead and allowing extra time for getting to LAX," said Deborah Flint, Executive Director of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

Airport officials said 205,000 passengers are scheduled to travel on Friday, Saturday and Nov. 29. On Nov. 30, about 219,000 travelers are expected at LAX.

Airport security will also be tightened in anticipation of the large crowds.

Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday should be the slowest travel days.

Nov. 25 is expected to be the fifth busiest day of travel of the year.

"As more people choose to work, visit, study and play in Los Angeles, LAX keeps on breaking records," said Garcetti. "L.A. is a world-class destination for visitors from around the globe. This is great news for our local economy."

Officials estimate nearly 947,000 vehicles will use the upper and lower level roadways in the central terminal area.

One way to beat the heavy crowds is to drop departing passengers off at the lower arrival level.

Travelers have also been advised to take public transportation to and from the airport.

For the third year in a row, LAX will be the busiest U.S. airport for the third year in a row during the November holiday period, according to the online travel company Orbitz.com.

Any ongoing construction projects that could cause significant impacts to passenger flow during the holiday travel period will be temporarily halted.

Travelers can check the airport's website for a real-time traffic conditions.