(Los Angeles, CA) Driven by continued increasing demand for domestic service, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) once again set a new all-time record for passenger traffic in 2019 with nearly 88.1 million travelers.

"Los Angeles is a global crossroads — a city known the world over as a creative capital, a hub for commerce, and a leading tourist destination," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "Another year of record passenger traffic at LAX is the latest milestone in our work to bring Los Angeles to the world and the world to Los Angeles."

The passenger total at LAX is an increase of 0.62 percent over 2018, topping the previous record of 87.5 million travelers. While the number of international passengers was down 1.37 percent from 2018, a difference of approximately 350,000, the number of domestic passengers grew by 1.45 percent, or nearly 900,000.

"LAX’s multibillion-dollar modernization investment and terminal upgrades are beginning to bear fruit. Today’s airline passenger has many choices, and with scores of popular domestic and international routes and highly competitive fares, LAX continues to lead the way as the world's top origination and destination airport," said Sean Burton, President, Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners. "In 2020, the airport will continue its role as a critical driver of the local economy, generating hundreds of thousands of high paying jobs while keeping Southern California connected to the world."

"Los Angeles World Airports is grateful to all of our guests who have chosen to fly to or from LAX this past year, contributing to another record-setting year in passenger numbers," said Justin Erbacci, interim Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. "As we modernize LAX for the next generation of air travelers, we will continue to develop new routes and airline partnerships, while remaining focused on enhancing the passenger experience and upholding our vision of gold-standard airports."

For 2019, the total passenger count at LAX was 88,068,013. That total comprises 62,371,691 domestic passengers (versus 61,479,610 in 2018) and 25,696,322 international passengers (versus 26,053,567 in 2018). While the number of international travelers dipped in 2019 for the first time since 2009, last year’s total is 3.4 percent higher than the 24,829,363 international passengers who traveled through LAX in 2017. Domestic passengers accounted for 70 percent of the total traffic in 2019, with international passengers at 30 percent.

Some of the highlights of 2019 at LAX include the addition of first-ever nonstop service in two European markets, Helsinki International Airport (HEL) on Finnair and Milan's Malpensa International Airport (MXP) on Air Italy. LAX is one of only five U.S. airports with nonstop service to/from Helsinki. Meanwhile, LAX is one of only four U.S. airports with nonstop service to/from Milan, with the route running during the summer (April-October) season.

China Airlines continues to restore its seat capacity between LAX and Taipei (TPE), adding back three weekly flights in November to raise the number to 10 departures/arrivals per week.

The most popular international destinations from LAX in 2019 were Guadalajara, Mexico (885,882 passengers), London-Heathrow (757,855) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (687,985).

After three decades, nonstop service to and from Stockton, Calif., returned via United Airlines in 2019 with twice-daily regional jet service. Stockton is United's 12th California market service nonstop from LAX, and intra-California service is now provided to 17 markets on nine airlines, including American, Delta, Boutique Air, Southern, Alaska, Spirit, Southwest and Mokulele.