Runway Incursions Down at LAX, Passengers Breath Easier
FAA figures show that the number of incursions has dropped from 26 to 8
Thursday, Jan 7, 2010 | Updated 2:54 PM PST
At LAX, the nation's third busiest airport, FAA figures show that the number of incursions has dropped from 26 in 2000 -- including six serious ones - - to eight this year, all of them minor, the Los Angeles Times reported. Nationally, the number of serious incursions has declined from 67 in 2000 to 12 this year.
Incursions happen when pilots fail to stop at hold lines on taxiways that lead to runways. Aircraft that stray too far present a risk of collision with other planes.
"U.S. runways have never been safer," FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said during a news conference Thursday in remarks reported by The Times. "These are big steps for us. We are doing the right things and getting the right result."
Babbitt attributed the improvements to a nationwide program to educate pilots; better communication between pilots and air traffic controllers; and airfield improvements such as better signage and reconfigured runways.
From 1999 to 2007, LAX had the most runway safety violations in the nation, including one harrowing incident in which two jets carrying a total of 296 people came within 37 feet of each other, according to The Times.
