Latest news with #AirportConnectivity
Condé Nast Traveler
18 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station Is Now Open—Here's How to Use It
In 2024, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) saw over 76.6 million passengers, averaging close to 210,000 travelers per day. But in a city known for its traffic congestion and lack of public transit options, travelers have limited options for getting to and from the bustling airport. That's finally starting to change. On Friday, June 6, the highly-anticipated LAX/Metro Transit Center Station opened, connecting the airport to two Metro rail lines and 14 bus routes for the first time via a free shuttle. The nearly $900,000 million project has been years in the making and is the latest push toward a more accessible LAX, with bigger changes on the horizon. In 2026, a new electric train called the Automated People Mover (APM) is set to debut, offering direct rail access to the airport terminals just in time for the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LXI in 2027, and the LA 2028 Summer Olympics. While the APM remains under construction, the new Metro station marks a major step forward for increasing connectivity between the airport and the rest of the city. I checked out the new LAX metro station for myself shortly after it opened to the public last week. Here's everything you need to know before using it. How to get to the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station Located just east of the airport, The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, formerly called Aviation/96th Street, offers a new way to reach LAX without driving or relying solely on expensive rideshares. No new trains or lines were added; rather, the station connects to existing transit routes. Fares remain at $1.75 and can be paid via a TAP card or the mobile app. Here's how to get to the station from key locations in LA: Hollywood: Take the B Line (Red Line) to 7th Street/Metro Center, transfer to the E Line (Yellow Line) toward Santa Monica, and then switch to the Expo/Crenshaw to the K-Line (Pink Line). Downtown: Board the E Line (Yellow Line) from 7th Street/Metro Center and transfer to the K-Line (Pink Line). Or, take the A Line (Blue Line) from 7th Street/Metro Center and switch to the C Line (Green Line) at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks. Santa Monica: Ride the E Line (Yellow Line) and transfer to the K-Line (Pink Line) at Expo/Crenshaw. Long Beach: Take the A Line (Blue Line), transfer to the C Line (Green Line) at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks, and continue to the LAX station. The station also connects to 14 bus routes, including; Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus, Torrance Transit, GTrans, and Beach Cities Transit. Travelers can take a free shuttle from the LAX/Metro Transit Center to the airport. Courtesy LAX Metro Center The free shuttle to LAX Once you arrive at the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, follow the signs to the free LAX shuttle. Buses run roughly every 10 minutes and drop passengers at each terminal's arrival level—just take an escalator or elevator up to departures. If you're leaving from LAX, look for the pink LAX shuttle signs outside arrivals and hop on. The same bus runs in a continuous loop between the station and terminals. (Timing tip: I tested the loop on a Friday evening when traffic was relatively light and the full loop took about 45 minutes. If you're flying out of a later-stop terminal like 6 or 7, give yourself extra time.) What to expect inside the station Though the new station spans 500,000 square feet, it's easy to navigate. Clear signage directs passengers from the platform to shuttle pickup bays on the ground level. Built to handle 5,000 passengers per hour, the space is fully accessible, with 11 elevators,12 escalators, and 9 staircases. Amenities include public restrooms, a customer service center, and secure automated bike storage. However, there are no dining or retail options. When does it make sense to use the metro connection? For locals near the K or C lines, this new connection is a game changer. For just $1.75, it offers a budget-friendly and relatively seamless way to reach LAX. That said, the journey can still involve multiple transfers, and until the APM opens in 2026, it could take you potentially an extra hour to reach later-stop terminals. Travelers coming from farther out may find other alternatives like the LAX FlyAway bus more convenient. At the very least, the LAX/Metro Transit Center provides a smart backup plan for when LA traffic is peaking and freeways grind to a halt. Consider the bigger picture, though, and it's a major step toward a more connected future for Los Angeles.
Arab News
29-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Jeddah airport soars to top three in Middle East airport rankings
JEDDAH: King Abdulaziz International Airport has secured third place in the 2024 Airport Connectivity Index for the Middle East, marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's ascent as a global aviation hub. The ranking was announced at the Air Connectivity Conference 2025, held in Shanghai, where the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East unveiled its annual index. KAIA followed Dubai International Airport and Qatar's Hamad International Airport in the regional rankings, according to the Saudi Press Agency. This recognition underscores both KAIA's growing operational capacity and Saudi Arabia's broader Vision 2030 goal of transforming the Kingdom into a leading logistics and transportation center. As part of that strategy, Saudi Arabia aims to handle 330 million passengers annually, connect to 250 international destinations, and transport 4.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2030. Mazen Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports Co., said the latest ranking reflects the airport's progress in expanding its air network and enhancing connectivity. 'This milestone demonstrates our commitment to operational excellence and aligns with our strategy to establish KAIA as a pivotal global hub,' he said in a statement to SPA. Johar noted that the airport's improved ranking is a result of sustained efforts to boost competitiveness, upgrade infrastructure, and elevate passenger experience in line with national transport goals. KAIA also held the third spot in the 2023 edition of the index, announced during ACI's annual assembly in Riyadh. As part of its long-term development plans, JEDCO is implementing upgrades aligned with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. These enhancements aim to increase KAIA's passenger capacity to 114 million annually by the end of the decade. In 2024, KAIA served 49.1 million passengers — up 14 percent from 2023 — marking the highest annual passenger volume recorded by any airport in the Kingdom. The busiest day was December 31, when over 174,600 passengers passed through the airport. December also set a monthly record, with traffic exceeding 4.7 million passengers. In the Asia-Pacific rankings, Shanghai Pudong International Airport claimed the top spot, followed by Incheon International Airport in South Korea and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Hong Kong International Airport was recognized as the most improved airport in terms of connectivity across both regions. Headquartered in Hong Kong with a regional office in Riyadh, ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East represents airports in some of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. The Airport Connectivity Index— developed with PwC in 2023 and refined in its third edition — measures network scale, frequency, destination economic weight, and connection efficiency. According to ACI, air connectivity in the Middle East grew 28 percent year on year, while Asia-Pacific saw a 13 percent increase, reflecting a 14 percent average growth across both regions. These gains signal a robust post-pandemic recovery and the continued momentum of global air travel.
