Dear LAWA Community,
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s filled with reasons to celebrate! We honor Black History Month, raise awareness during American Heart Month, and mark special days like Presidents Day, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and even Groundhog Day —where, for those who missed it, the groundhog saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. That is, in places that have a real winter!
Thank you for celebrating with us and for being such an important part of our community. We appreciate you!
As always, we welcome your feedback. Reach out to us at CommunityRelations@lawa.org.
Josh Francis
Director of Community Relations
Los Angeles World Airports
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Hensel Phelps and the LAWA Airport Development Group Showcase Trade Careers at ACE Trades Day |
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LAWA CEO John Ackerman welcomes more than 400 students attending ACE Trades Day at LAX. |
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On January 24, Hensel Phelps, in collaboration with the Airport Development Group, hosted 400 students interested in aviation construction for ACE Trades Day. The event took place on the airfield next to the Flight Path Museum.
Students had the opportunity to visit a variety of trade booths, tour the South Airfield Complex by bus, and enjoy lunch with several trade executives. LAWA CEO John Ackerman attended the event to greet students and share valuable insight into the critical role that construction, maintenance, and other vocation-focused careers play at both LAX and Van Nuys airports. |
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Top Left: Students are hands-on with concrete pouring and framing.
Top Right: Students receive hats and other Hensel Phelps gear.
Bottom Left: A Hansel Phelps employee speaks to students about careers.
Bottom Right: Students show off their skills working with tools. |
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Theme Building Opens for One Special Night |
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The old Encounter restaurant inside the Theme Building served as the location for a special night out to one lucky family who won a catered dinner in a raffle drawing raising money for the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center, a nonprofit organization that operates LAX's aviation museum.
Pictured at top: Raffle winner Gary Molinari and his family enjoy with views from the Theme Building.
Bottom Left: The catering crew getting ready to serve up dinner.
Bottom Right: Guests enjoy a French-themed dinner in the old Encounter restaurant space in the LAX Theme Building |
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LAWA CIO Leads Airports Council International Forum |
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LAWA hosted the Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Chief Information Officer Forum at the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center on January 27 and 28. Representatives from a number of airports in the U.S. and Canada were on hand to discuss some of the most pressing information technology trends and issues like cyber security, modernization, and change management. LAWA CIO Aura Moore hosted the event and led the effort with her team, with support from the LAWA Airport Affairs team. Prior to the start of the forum, the group was also treated to a tour of SoFi Stadium and the LAX airfield.
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Got Tours?
Both Los Angeles International and Van Nuys airports offer exciting, behind‑the‑scenes tours for groups of 15 or more. Reservations can be made online on the LAWA Community Relations webpage. The Community Relations team can tailor each experience to what interests you most — whether it’s exploring airport operations, learning about aviation careers, walking the terminals or combining it all into one unforgettable visit. Here’s a snapshot of the tours hosted earlier this month. |
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LAWA hosted 47 sixth-grade students and their chaperones on Thursday, February 5, for a tour of the Flight Path Museum and the LAX airfield. Students from AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Winnetka got a behind-the-scenes look at LAX, including visits to the Delta and Qantas hangars and an up-close view of A380 aircraft parked at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The tour was hosted by LAWA’s Community Relations team in collaboration with the Flight Path Museum, with Brian Reidy from LAX Airport Operations serving as the tour guide. |
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Van Nuys FlyAway Valentine's Day Celebration |
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Van Nuys Airport added a little extra sparkle to Valentine’s Day with a cheerful employee and customer appreciation pop‑up at the Van Nuys FlyAway. The Van Nuys Airport team and the LAWA Community Relations team turned an ordinary weekday into a heart‑filled celebration, complete with lively music, cookies, coffee, water and a lineup of fun giveaways.
The event wasn’t just about treats — it was a chance to thank the people who make the airport community thrive. Travelers paused to enjoy a moment of sweetness, employees grabbed a well‑earned pick‑me‑up and neighbors passing through were reminded that Van Nuys Airport is more than a transportation hub. It’s a community gathering place with a big heart.
For three hours, smiles were shared, conversations sparked and the FlyAway felt just a little brighter. It was the perfect warm‑up to the Valentine’s Day weekend and a joyful reminder of the strong connections that keep the airport community soaring.
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Pictured bottom left: This pup is all dressed up and looking for a date.
Pictured top right: Employees grab refreshments.
Pictured bottom right: Airport police, LAX PUPs, Van Nuys Airport Maintenance and LAWA Community Relations teams feel the love at the Van Nuys FlyAway.
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January/February highlights:
- On January 27 & 28, Airports Council International North America held its Chief Information Officer Forum at the Flight Path Museum and guests were treated to an airfield and terminal tour.
- Van Nuys Airport hosted a Girl Scout troop to a behind-the-scenes Airport tour including Fire Station 114, the fire and rescue station on the airport. The troop learned about air rescue and airport operations on February 6.
- The Van Nuys FlyAway celebrated Valentine's Day with an employee and guest appreciation event.
- The Noise Roundtable Celebrated 25 Years at a recognition Celebration on February 18.
Hosting an event you would like us to participate in? Let us know. Please email us at communityrelations@lawa.org.
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Several members of the LAX Community Noise Roundtable, representatives from LAWA, and several elected offices were present at the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of this important community group.
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CD-11 Representative Trey Grogan honors longtime Community Noise Roundtable member Denny Schneider for his contributions to solutions to mitigate airport noise in LAX's surrounding communities.
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A group of airport CIO's representing airports all over the U.S. and Canada were treated to a tour of SoFi Stadium prior to the kick-off of the ACI-NA CIO Forum.
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Daisy and Brownie Troop 3296 from Studio City tours Van Nuys Airport.
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A customer enjoys the Valentine's Day celebration before boarding her FlyAway bus.
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Crystal Lee, DED of Sustainability, Energy, Environmental and Development Services kicks of the Community Noise Roundtable 25th Anniversary event at the Flight Path Museum.
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Did you know?
Back in 1926, when Los Angeles was dreaming up its aviation future, the city went hunting for just the right place to plant an airfield. Real estate agent William Mines stepped in with a bold pitch for a wide‑open stretch of land south of Westchester — and he sold the idea so well that the new airfield ended up bearing his name. Mines Field was officially on the map.
The airport opened on Oct. 1, 1928, with a single dirt runway, a whole lot of open sky and enough ambition to fill a hangar. It didn’t stay humble for long. By 1930, that dusty strip had been upgraded to an oiled decomposed‑granite runway sturdy enough for year‑round flying. With the improvements came a new name: Los Angeles Municipal Airport.
What began as a simple field with big dreams would eventually grow into one of the world’s busiest airports. But in those early days, it was all about possibility — a city stretching its wings and getting ready to take flight.
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Where You'll Find Us Next |
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February 2026
21 - Westchester Del Rey Little Leauge Opening Day (softball) at Carl E Nielsen Park
28 - Westchester Del Rey Little League Opening Day (baseball) at Carl E Nielsen Park
28 - DaVinci Schools Community Aviation Day
March 2026
5 - Women in STEM Career Day at Los Angeles Harbor College
6 - Latina History Day in Downtown LA
7 - LAX Coastal Education Foundation Rock, Roll & Run at LMU
28 - El Segundo ChiliPalooza at El Segundo Library Park
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Here is a recap of LAX related news you may have missed.
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LAX Residential Sound Insulation Program
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) relaunched the LAX Residential Sound Insulation (RSI) Program for eligible homeowners located within FAA-approved noise contours near LAX.
The program provides sound-insulation improvements, including upgraded windows, exterior doors, and ventilation systems, at no cost to homeowners in the City of El Segundo and select neighborhoods within Los Angeles City Council Districts 11 and 8. Improvements vary depending on each home’s construction type and any applicable historic designation requirements.
Although the program is winding down, there is still time to apply. Applications will be accepted through Spring 2027.
Homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. An updated noise exposure map is expected to be released in March/April 2026, and properties that fall outside the revised FAA-approved noise contours may no longer qualify. Submitting an application now helps ensure your eligibility before the contour update takes effect.
To learn more about the program, confirm eligibility, or submit an application online, please visit: www.LAWA.org/laxRSIprogram. For questions or additional information, please contact: Evelin Barajas, LAX RSI Program Homeowner Liaison, at 424-646-7444 or laxrsi@lawa.org.
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Los Angeles World Airports Community Relations
To view past editions of Community Connection, click here. |
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