$112 Million Upgrade Set for LAX; ``Gateway LAX'' Program: Largest Renovation of Airport Since 1984 Olympics; ``Facelift'' Will Beautify Airport, Assist Travelers.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1999--

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will undergo a $112 million aesthetic upgrade under the "Gateway LAX" project announced jointly today by Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan and officials of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

This extensive overhaul of the West Coast's premier international travel, trade and tourism hub is the most extensive series of improvements at LAX since the 1984 Olympics. The project is designed to make the facility more attractive and convenient for the 61 million passengers who use the airport annually and it is also aimed at making the airport more user-friendly.

The upgrades will include a trademark-style series of lighted columns along Century Boulevard leading into the airport, new landscaping, improved signage and lighting, a new public address system for the Lower/Arrivals level, public art installations and other practical and aesthetic improvements.

Work will commence in January with a significant number of upgrades anticipated to be completed in time for the peak summer tourist season.

"The 'Gateway LAX' project will secure Los Angeles International Airport's place as a sophisticated, world-class landmark all Angelenos can be proud to claim as their own," said Riordan. "LAX is our city's portal to the world so we should make it the best it can be for all travelers, no matter what language they speak, where they come from, or where they are going," he said.

"Our intention with the 'Gateway LAX' project, which has the sub-theme 'Welcome Upgrades at L.A.'s World Class Airport,' is to enhance the LAX experience for the 61 million passengers who utilize this airport each year," said John J. Agoglia, president of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners.

Lydia Kennard, who as interim executive director oversees LAX and three other city airport operations at Ontario, Van Nuys and Palmdale, added, "The idea that we are creating a more attractive LAX and creating jobs to go along with meeting this goal, is very exciting to all of us at LAWA."

Major elements of the "Gateway LAX" program include:

--   A trademark-style series of lighted columns leading into airport
     entrances with the Century Boulevard entrance featuring "LAX" in
     40-foot-high letters

--   An overhaul of the signage and graphics identifying, through a
     bold color-coding system, airport terminals, airlines, parking
     and roadways.

--   Improvements to pedestrian walkways and sidewalks within
     the airport and in new greenbelts extending to and along
     Century Boulevard.

--   Lighting enhancements that will make signage easier to see and
     draw attention to architectural improvements, artwork and
     landscaping.

--   A new, clearer-sounding public address system will be installed
     on the Arrivals level that will be linked to the fire/life/safety
     system in order to broadcast emergency information in a timely
     and effective manner.

--   New landscaping and vegetation, providing shade and greenery
     from numerous vantage points.

--   Public art installations in the form of murals, mosaics,
     sculptures and statues to reflect the local artistry of a
     multi-cultural city.

The $112 million "Gateway LAX" program will be financed with short-term bonds that will be repaid with airport revenues from parking and concession fees. The design firm of Ted Tokio Tanaka Architects of Marina del Rey, Calif., has provided the concepts, while several management firms will be hired to develop various projects within the program.