LA Draws New International Air Service

In recent months, nine carriers have begun or have announced new international service to Los Angeles, and several more announcements are on the horizon. LA INC. projects 15 new or increased international routes between December 2007 and summer 2009; servicing both Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT). Among the new airlines that have chosen Los Angeles as their West Coast gateway, EVA Air has established three direct service routes to Osaka, and Air France is now offering seven round-trips per week to London. In June, Alitalia will offer five round-trips per week to Rome and Korean Air will launch new, nonstop service from Los Angeles to São Paulo, Brazil. On Sept. 1, 2008, Emirates Airline will begin daily nonstop service between LAX and Dubai. And in December, V Australia will launch non-stop service between Australia and Los Angeles; under a newly signed open-skies agreement that eliminates certain restrictions on air travel and is expected to lead to lower fares. The dramatic increase in frequencies at LAX and ONT is due in large part to the rise in passenger demand. There was a six percent increase in overseas arrivals at both airports in 2007, and in 2008, the volume is anticipated to grow by another four to six percent.

LA Dodgers Celebrate 50 Years in LA

The Dodgers kicked off their 50th year anniversary in LA with an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox on March 29 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (where the team first played from 1958 - 1961 after moving from Brooklyn, New York). The record attendance of 115,300 was more than at any baseball game in the history of the sport. The Dodgers continued to celebrate on March 30 at Dodger Stadium, where they beat the Red Sox in an exhibition shut-out by new Dodger pitcher Hiroki Kuroda of Japan; a 32-year-old, right-hander who brings toughness to the team. And new Dodger manager, Hall of Fame great Joe Torre, led the team to an Opening Day victory on March 31 against the San Francisco Giants. Throughout 2008, the Dodgers will be celebrating their 50th anniversary. Beginning this month, the Dodgers organization will celebrate each decade of the team's history - one decade for each month - from the 1950s to the 1990s. Since coming to LA, the City's beloved baseball team has won five championships. Test your Dodger knowledge by taking the "Dodgers Quiz," now available on the LA INC. Web site, www.discoverLosAngeles.com.

2008 Los Angeles Film Festival

The best of American and international cinema will be celebrated during the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival in Westwood (June 19 - 29). Hundreds of screenings and special events will take place in venues throughout the area, including the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum, the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, the Mann Festival Theatre and the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. Festivities include opening and closing night galas, more than 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, as well as Coffee Talks, Poolside Chats, and other special star-studded events. The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented by the Los Angeles Times and is produced by Film Independent, a non-profit membership organization that champions independent film. General admission for attending screenings is $12. Tickets can be purchased online beginning May 21.

Events that Set Sail

The fresh air and sunshine aboard a yacht is said to inspire creativity. Fortunately, Los Angeles offers two harbors for your clients to sail from, Marina del Rey and San Pedro. Hornblower Cruises & Events invites meeting professionals to join them for "Meetings in Motion," featuring ready-made and custom-designed cruises for meetings, incentives and team-building. The "Half-Day Corporate Meeting Package" includes a 2-hour dockside meeting and 2-hour luncheon cruise with cuisine prepared fresh onboard by your own personal chef. Hornblower yachts depart from Marina del Rey and can accommodate groups from 10 to 550 attendees. Also based out of Marina del Rey, Fantasea Yachts and Yacht Club has been offering customizable programs and themed events for 27 years. Their luxury yachts have been chartered by Hollywood stars and can accommodate up to 400 guests. Operating from San Pedro's Ports O' Call Village, Spirit Cruises & Yacht Parties features special 2.5-hour and 3.5-hour private charters for small corporate meetings in addition to its standard packages for groups of up to 150. Smaller charters are available daily and include a gourmet meal.

Amtrak Prepares for the Summer

The Coast Starlight, one of Amtrak's most popular trains, will return to service this summer. Once again, the train will roll through some of the West Coast's most breathtaking scenery; connecting major cities from Los Angeles to Seattle. Throughout the 1,389-mile, 36-hour route, passengers will enjoy stunning vistas -- many of which can only be seen by rail -- including breathtaking Pacific Ocean shorelines, dense Northern forests and the spectacular peaks of the Cascade mountains. The Coast Starlight is one of the most recent Amtrak long-distance trains to be upgraded. Passengers will be treated to a new onboard experience, including modernized and refurbished rail cars, new and improved onboard services and newly enhanced amenities. Operating daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, the Coast Starlight will connect LA with Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. More than just a convenient way to travel, Amtrak is also energy efficient. Traveling by rail contributes less per passenger mile to greenhouse gas emissions than either cars or airplanes. In fiscal year 2007, ridership increased 3.5 percent and revenue rose 14 percent. Amtrak officials expect 2008 to be even better.