Los Angeles International AIrport (LAX) has improved its safety standards recently by opening a new taxiway.

It has taken more than a year of building work and $83 million (£41.5 million), but the taxiway centre opened at the end of June, earlier than originally planned.  The taxiway connects two runways at LA Airport.

The Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa said:

“LAX is the US West Coast’s gateway to the world.  Opening the centre taxiway… will benefit the travelling public with improved airfield safety and reduced aircraft taxi and idle time.”

This new taxi runway is just a small part of a larger safety improvement plan called the South Airfield Improvement Program, whose main focus is to increase LA airport safety and is estimated to cost around $333 million.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the fourth busiest airport in the world.  Last year more than 61 million passengers travelled through the airport.

In fact, the airport handles 70 per cent of all passengers and 95 per cent of all international passengers visiting the Golden State of California.