American Airlines has unveiled plans for a US$1.6 billion investment programme at Los Angeles International airport.
The carrier has published a letter of intent setting out “the framework for negotiation of a new 15-year lease agreement”, with planned improvement works including:
- The unification of passenger check-in and baggage claim areas
- The improvement of check-in facilities at T5
- A new “vertical circulation core” connecting to the landside Automated People Movers (APM) rail system
- The centralisation of the T4 and T5 security screening checkpoint at the APM level
- The connection of T4 and T5 both landside and airside, including an above-ground connection from the T4/BIT Connector to T5 airside
AA said that the works would be carried out over the next seven to ten years, and would “essentially be made by tearing down the lobby areas of T4 and T5 one small section at a time and building a new, state-of-the-art facility, all while keeping the airport up and running”.
The agreement would also pave the way for the carrier to receive additional gates “as they continue to grow their operation and add destinations”.
American Airlines recently unveiled its revamped Flagship Lounge at New York’s JFK, with others to follow at airports including LAX, Miami, Dallas Fort Worth and London Heathrow.
Commenting on the commitment Doug Parker, CEO and chairman of American Airlines said:
“This investment will not only improve the customer experience, but it will also give our employees a better place to work every day while allowing us to continue to grow in the marketplace.
“It’s an exciting time for the US airline industry and for American in particular. Today, US airlines are healthy and investing back into their businesses and the communities they serve. What we are doing here today is a great example of that.”
