Modernization of two terminals at Los Angeles International (LAX), as well as connector projects and a new terminal, have been approved by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners.
The modernization of Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX, as well as connecting them to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, will be undertaken by Delta Air Lines. Commissioners also voted in favor of a lease agreement with Southwest Airlines for a new building, dubbed Terminal 1.5, that will include a connector between Terminals 1 and 2, as well as space for additional ticket counters, baggage carousels, a bus gate and an additional security-screening checkpoint.
“Terminal 3 has gone the longest without significant renovation, so its reconstruction, upgrades to Terminal 2 and the connection to the Tom Bradley International Terminal are critically needed,” said LAWA CEO Deborah Flint. “Meanwhile, the development of Terminal 1.5 will provide Southwest Airlines with additional space, as well as connect Terminals 1 and 2 and improve the guest experience, much like the excellent improvements already made by Southwest in Terminal 1.”
Board President Sean Burton noted that the changes “will mean easier connections, along with more freedom of movement for guests throughout all nine of our terminals. These are the kind of facilities that will help us complete the transformation of LAX into the gold-standard airport the city of Los Angeles deserves,” he said.
According to LAX, Delta Air Lines plans to invest as much as $1.9 billion in the modernization, which would include upgrading the Terminal 2 concourse, demolishing and reconstructing the Terminal 3 concourse building, demolishing the southern appendages of the Terminal 3 satellite, and demolishing and reconstructing the passenger and baggage processing facilities. Reconfiguration of aircraft gates could add as many as four gates between the two terminals, LAWA said.
Separately, the Board of Airport Commissioners approved a lease with Southwest Airlines for a new terminal, the future Terminal 1.5.
The new building is a 417,515-square-foot, six-level facility that will span the gap between Terminals 1 and 2 and require demolition of Gate 10 in Terminal 1. In addition to providing space for baggage claims, ticket counters, a security-screening checkpoint and two floors of office space, the building will connect Terminals 1 and 2. There will be connections between the non-secured areas of the terminals on the arrivals and departures levels, while the connection on the concourse level will be on the secured side of the building, allowing passengers to more easily transfer between the terminals.
Terminal 1.5, estimated to cost $490 million and expected to open in 2020, will also include a vertical circulation core to connect it to the airport’s planned Automated People Mover and will feature a bus gate that will allow Southwest Airlines to transport passengers to The Tom Bradley Terminal for international flights.
