The rent relief was approved by Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that runs LAX. Under it, the operators of airport gift shops, newsstands, restaurants, bars and other retail outlets can skip their required minimum monthly rent payments and instead base their rent strictly on their actual sales.

The relief package is retroactive to Oct. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. Retailers who have already paid their October and November rent can receive a credit to apply toward their future payments.

The drop in air travel since the Sept. 11 attacks has hurt virtually every airport retailer. Some have said their business is off by more than 50% because fewer airline passengers means fewer people to make purchases at airport gift shops, dine at its restaurants, or drink at its bars.