Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) recently announced American Airlines will invest more than $1.6 billion over the next 15 years in Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“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,” Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of American Airlines, said. “It’s an exciting time for the U.S. airline industry and for American in particular. Today, U.S. 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.”
Funds will be used over the next seven to 10 years to improve check-in facilities at Terminal 5, to centralize security screenings at Terminals 4 and 5, to connect the terminals on the airside and landside of the building, to unify the check-in and baggage claim areas, and to install a new vertical circulation core connected to the landside automated people movers train system.
Terminals 4 and 5 will be torn down and rebuilt one small section at a time into a new, state-of-the-art facility. The airport will remain functioning during demolition and construction.
American Airlines will receive additional gates, if necessary, as it grows, according to the agreement with LAWA.