LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Three projects aimed at improving connections between some Los Angeles International Airport terminals and upgrading and modernizing key facilities were approved by the city Airport Commission and forwarded to the City Council for consideration, officials said today.
The commission on Thursday approved a plan to modernize Terminals 2 and 3 while also connecting them to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, and also approved a lease agreement with Southwest Airlines for a new building called Terminal 1.5.
Delta Air Lines plans to invest as much as $1.9 billion in the modernization upgrades at Terminals 2 and 3 over the next seven years. Meanwhile, Terminal 1.5 is estimated to cost $490 million and is expected to open in 2020.
“Plans for the dramatic renovation of Terminals 2 and 3, spearheaded by Delta Air Lines, and the new building between Terminals 1 and 2 are two of the keys to eventually connecting the entire airport beyond the security checkpoints,'' Commission President Sean Burton said. “This 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.''
If given final council approval, the new Southwest Airlines building, called Terminal 1.5, would include a connector between Terminals 1 and 2, along with more ticket counters, new 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,'' Los Angeles World Airports CEO Deborah Flint said. “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.''