# Air Traffic Continues Slide

> Los Angeles airports see passenger drops as airlines cut flights amid fuel costs.
- Title: Air Traffic Continues Slide · Los Angeles Business Journal
- Summary: Los Angeles airports see passenger drops as airlines cut flights amid fuel costs. Los Angeles airports recorded 4.5% fewer passengers in August 2026 compared…
- Keywords: hollywood burbank airport, los angeles international airport, ontario international airport, long beach airport, frontier airlines, spirit airlines, avelo airlines, allegiant air, southwest airlines, jetblue airways, cargo tonnage, airline routes
- Source: Los Angeles Business Journal — https://labusinessjournal.com/featured/air-traffic-continues-slide
- Author: Howard Fine
- Published: 2026-10-12T16:43:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hollywood burbank airport, los angeles international airport, ontario international airport, long beach airport, frontier airlines, spirit airlines, avelo airlines, allegiant air, southwest airlines, jetblue airways, cargo tonnage, airline routes
## Passenger traffic down
Passenger traffic dropped at all four local airports for the third straight month in August 2026.
## Overall passenger decline
7.84 million travelers passed through the four airports in August 2026, down 4.5% from August 2025.
## Burbank's biggest drop
Hollywood Burbank Airport recorded a 12.5% passenger decline in August 2026, its fourth consecutive month of double-digit drops.
## Spirit and Avelo exits
Spirit Airlines and Avelo Airlines exited Hollywood Burbank Airport, costing tens of thousands of passengers monthly.
## New terminal hopes
New $1.3 billion terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport aims to boost passenger numbers this week.
## Ontario's decline
Ontario International Airport saw a 6.2% passenger drop in August 2026, ending its 54-month growth streak.
## LAX and Long Beach
Los Angeles International and Long Beach airports each recorded a 3.7% passenger decline in August 2.026.
## Cargo gains
Cargo tonnage at the four airports rose 1.3% in August 2026, down from 4.1% in July.
## What happens next
New terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport may reverse passenger declines this week.
## Key takeaway

Los Angeles airports recorded 4.5% fewer passengers in August 2026 compared to August 2025 due to airline route cuts and higher fuel costs.