Ground was broken last week on a $1.6 billion renovation of Terminals 4 and 5 at Los Angeles International Airport, the Associated Press reported October 19.
Public officials and representatives of American Airlines, the main tenant of the terminals, took part in the ceremony. The project will include access to a new “people mover” system that will transport passengers to airport terminals, a new rental car facility, and Los Angeles’ light-rail system.
City officials also approved a $2 billion, 28-year management contract for the rental car centre, which will consolidate more than 20 smaller facilities currently scattered around the airport and environs.
CBS reported October 17 that American plans to centralise check-in, security, baggage claim areas, as well as connecting the two terminals.
The international terminal at LAX also is being renovated, along with Terminals 2 and 3, which Delta Air Lines is upgrading with a $1.9 billion investment.
The people mover system is expected to be completed by 2023.
“We are re-imagining this entire airport, every single terminal from the ground up,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at the groundbreaking ceremony.
