Introducing New LAWA Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey

Today, we introduce the newest general manager of what is perhaps the most storied and most recognized airport on Earth, at a time when LAX is at a crossroads.

Ms. Lindsey takes the reins at Los Angeles World Airports at its most critical moment in recent history. She will shepherd our city through the environmental process and construction of a multi-billion dollar modernization of LAX that will include a refurbished Tom Bradley International Terminal, a new Consolidated Rental Car facility, a state-of-the-art Automated People Mover, and a long-overdue connection to the Green Line.

This sounds simple enough, but her first, and perhaps, greatest challenge will be to strike a compromise with airport neighbors on a new Master Plan. That plan must meet the needs of business and the airport without negatively impacting the environment, traffic, and the surrounding communities. Any LAX modernization must first and foremost demonstrate that it does not worsen the congestion that chokes the streets and highways that lead to LAX.
And, we cannot ask to take more businesses and homes in the Westchester community to expand this airport. It is time we give back some of that space by planning for community use of the LAX Northside and Manchester Square.

I have said this before and I will say it again, there should be absolutely no reconfiguration of the northern runways unless good, hard, technical analysis shows us there is a safety problem and shows us how to solve it.

Ms. Lindsey will oversee the implementation of LAWA's strategic plan to regionalize air traffic in Southern California, starting with our own regional airports at LA/Palmdale and LA/Ontario. As we move forward, I want to see more options for passengers at Ontario and Palmdale. And, as the increasing demand for goods movement continues to strain the infrastructure surrounding LAX, I want to see us plan for moving more cargo operations to those airports.

Lastly, I want to thank Samson Mengistu for stepping up to serve as Acting Executive Director during our transition phase at LAWA. His service to the city was, as always, outstanding.
On behalf of my constituents in Westchester and Playa del Rey, I welcome Ms. Gina Marie Lindsey. I look forward to working closely with her.

-Bill