LAX traffic picking up

The airport reported a 4.5 percent increase in the number of domestic passengers last month compared with September 2009, while international traffic was up a little over 3 percent. Year to date, the overall increase has been 4.3 percent. Keep in mind that 2009 was pretty dreadful, so the year-to-year increase isn't saying that much. Still, up is up. "We have been watching a gradual increase in total domestic and international passenger volume due to some improvements in the global economy -- especially in the international sector," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, which overseas LAX. The numbers could get higher over the next few months as American Airlines plans to add more flights out of the airport - and as the airline industry continues to recover from its financial troubles.