During one of the peak travel times of the year, passengers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) encountered significant disruptions due to a large-scale protest that blocked access roads, according to reports.

The protestors effectively brought traffic to a halt outside the main terminal, compelling travelers to leave their vehicles and walk to ensure they reached their flights on schedule, as reported by FOX 11.

On Tuesday, demonstrators took over Century Boulevard, obstructing a crucial entry point to the airport and causing severe congestion in the principal pickup and drop-off areas around LAX.

Protesters caused a major intersection near Los Angeles International Airport to come to a standstill on Tuesday, November 26, 2025. (KTTV)

Law enforcement equipped with riot gear arrived and managed to clear the intersection shortly after 6:15 p.m., progressively restoring the flow of traffic.

Fox News also noted that another protest erupted in Terminal 7 on Wednesday morning, involving members of USWW, the largest security officers union in the country.

At the center of the protest outside the airport is an escalating labor dispute with Flying Food Group, one of LAX’s largest airline catering contractors.

Protesters shut down an intersection near Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday. (KTTV)

Unite Here Local 11 and employees of Flying Food Group are demanding a new contract with higher wages while raising safety and labor concerns.

“Honestly, people don’t care about the people who make food and put it on their plates,” Susan Minato, co-president of Unite Here Local 11 told FOX 11.

“We wanted to make a statement.” 

Protesters at an intersection near Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday. (KTTV)

Minato acknowledged the disruption but defended the timing, arguing that demonstrations during peak travel periods are necessary to draw attention.

“It is a busy time of the year, no question,” she said. “But that’s also how you get some attention.”

Earlier this year, the union successfully pushed for a city ordinance raising the minimum wage for hotel and airport workers to $30 by 2028.

While protests through Wednesday were not expected to block vehicle access, the New York Post reported that police were still preparing for disruptions amid the main holiday travel rush.