Get ready for bigger crowds at LAX during the holidays

A construction worker digs next to a roadway at Los Angeles International Airport. The airport is expected to be the second-busiest in the country during the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

By Hugo MartínStaff Writer

Dec. 18, 2014 12:10 PM PT

Nearly 3 million passengers are expected to travel through Los Angeles International Airport for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period, a 4.1% increase over last year.

The increase, forecast by airport officials, would make LAX the country’s second-busiest airport for the holidays. Only Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will be more crowded, according to Airlines for America, a trade group for the nation’s airlines.

During the 14-day period from Dec. 19 to Jan. 2, the airport is expected to serve 2.97 million passengers, up from 2.85 million last year, according to airport officials.

Be prepared for snarled traffic caused by road construction around LAX related to several modernization projects. Construction is also underway in nearly every terminal, including the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

And be forewarned, elevators will be out in some of the parking structures.

To read more about travel, tourism and the airline industry, follow me on Twitter at @hugomartin.