LAX USE HAS RISEN STEADILY SINCE SEPT. 11.

Byline: Beth Barrett Staff Writer

Two key measurements indicate Los Angeles International Airport has experienced a modest rebound in passenger traffic and flights since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, figures released Thursday show.

New numbers point to a steady climb in passengers from September along with a recent increase in airlines adding capacity, according to new figures from Los Angeles World Airports.

``It's encouraging that the industry is restoring flights and capacity at LAX,'' said LAWA spokesman Paul Haney. ``We look forward to that trend continuing into the new year. Our goal is to get back to pre-9-11 flight schedules as soon as possible to help with the economic recovery of the region.''

In September, LAX's passenger traffic was down 33.1 percent compared with the same month a year ago, but November numbers released Thursday show the airport was down just 24.7 percent over a year ago, with just over 4 million people flying in and out.

The other factor is the 3.7 percent increase this month over November in the number of airline seats departing from LAX, a sign airlines are adding more capacity.

Industry analysts advised, however, that demand typically tails off sharply after the holidays, and that the repercussions are hard to predict in an already volatile post-9-11 aviation market.

Major carriers such as United remain retrenched, with United's daily departures from LAX down nearly by half, from 195 to 105, said Alan B. Wayne, United's regional director for governmental and public affairs.

United, which continues to board more passengers and serve more international and domestic markets than any other airline at LAX, spun off some 30 regional flights a day to SkyWest, which runs them as United Express.

SkyWest is still running about 50 fewer flights per day out of LAX but is getting ready to add a series of commuter jet and prop plane flights to the Bay Area and San Diego early next year, said Sky West spokesman David Clark.

``As the demand comes back and people are traveling more, we're filling the spots,'' Clark said.

Southwest Airlines kept more of its flights than any other airline serving LAX, reporting only a 6.5 percent reduction in seats, according to November records.

Southwest spokeswoman Whitney Brewer said the company is seeing a heavy Christmas demand for flights.

``A lot of flights are full,'' Brewer said. ``We're really excited about it. We think some people traveled at Thanksgiving and thought the lines weren't that bad, and they're coming back and hopefully bringing their friends with them.''

Demand for charter flights also is increasing, which is common during the holiday season.

``For domestic originating charter flights, there's a lot more seats in and out of airports, including LAX. It's that time of year,'' said Ron Priddy, president of the National Air Carrier Association, representing a number of charter companies, among others.

Foreign carriers, including Mexicana, Aeromexico, Air Canada and JAL, have stayed nearly on pace with last year's travel schedule, according to LAWA figures.

The gradual rebound in international travel generally at LAX, however - it was down 27.5 percent in November over a year ago, compared with 34.3 percent in October - has had a ripple effect in boosting domestic demand, the LAWA's Haney said.

The increase in December seats also is significant in that airlines generally add flights only when they believe the service can be sustained, airline officials said.

LAWA figures show that the number of seats heading to 23 destinations increased this month over November. Seats to nine cities remained the same. Fifteen markets were lost entirely, while two were added, the records showed.

LAX's passenger traffic's plunge by 33.1 percent in September compared with September 2000 was second only to Chicago O'Hare's decline of 34.1 percent among the world's top 10 airports.

The airport expects to lose $127 million this fiscal year, and is taking measures to secure emergency financing in the meantime.