Originally known as Mines Field, the LAX site has been used as a general aviation field since 1928. During World War II, it was used for military flights. Commercial airline service started in December 1946. The present terminal complex was constructed in 1961. In the early 1980s, LAX added domestic and international terminals and a second-level roadway.
There are three major airports serving Greater Los Angeles and Los Angeles International is by far the busiest, with over 60 million passengers served annually. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is ranked third in the world for number of passengers and tonnage of air cargo handled, and its popularity shows no sign of decreasing.
The airport is located approximately 17 miles southwest of downtown, a few miles southeast of Santa Monica.<
