LOS ANGELES BOARD OF AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS APPROVE PLANS FOR TERMINAL 1.5; NEW FACILITY WILL ENHANCE GUEST EXPERIENCE, CONNECT TERMINALS 1 AND 2

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today approved environmental and aesthetic plans related to the proposed Terminal 1.5 Project, which would enhance the guest experience at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by providing additional space for ticketing, security screening, and baggage claim, along with connecting Terminals 1 and 2.

The proposed project, which requires final approval from the Los Angeles City Council, includes a 417,515-square-foot, six-level building that will span the 400-foot-long space between Terminals 1 and 2.  It would also require demolishing a boarding gate in Terminal 1. 

Terminal 1.5 would include baggage claim on the Lower/Arrivals Level, a ticketing lobby on the Upper/Departures Level, and a Security Screening Check Point on the Concourse Level.  Office space would be on Levels 4 and 5.  A basement level would house building-systems support and storage areas for the airlines, concessionaires and maintenance.  The new terminal will not have boarding gates.

“By improving on existing passenger processing capabilities, and providing the additional space for the latest screening technology to meet federal security requirements, this new facility will help improve the guest experience and speed up lines,” said Board of Airport Commissioners President Sean O. Burton.  “It will also make it easier for passengers making connections between Terminals 1 and 2.” 

“LAX recognizes the value of connectivity and have received many positive comments about the ease of connections on the south side of the airport with the addition of the Terminal 4 Connector.  Terminal 1.5 is a significantstep toward tying the northside terminals together,” said Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint. “This is another way LAX is working toward becoming the gold standard among airports, both in the U.S. and around the world.” 

Walkways located pre-security will connect Terminals 1 and 2 on the first two levels.  A corridor located beyond security screening on the Concourse Level will allow passengers to more easily catch connecting flights between the terminals, as well as take advantage of more dining and retail choices.

With today’s vote, the Board of Airport Commissioners found that that the proposed project is consistent with the LAX Plan and any design guidelines required by the plan; that it complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and, that the applicable measures contained in the LAX Master Plan Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) or identified in any subsequent environmental review have been incorporated into the proposed project to the extent feasible.

No grading, building or use-of-land permits shall be issued, and no construction related to the proposed project shall occur unless and until the City Council approves the request for an LAX Plan Compliance determination.

If approved by the City Council, the Terminal 1.5 is expected to be completed in 26 months, opening Summer 2019.  More information about the proposed project, including environmental and LAX Plan Compliance documents, is available at www.ourlax.org.

About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

            LAX is the seventh busiest airport in the world and third in the United States.  LAX served more than 74.9 million passengers in 2015.  LAX offers 742 daily nonstop flights to 101 cities in the U.S. and 1,273 weekly nonstop flights to 76 cities in 41 countries on 64 commercial air carriers.  LAX ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.1 million tons of air cargo valued at over $101.4 billion.  LAX handled 655,564 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2015. 

An economic study based on 2014 operations reported LAX generated 620,610 jobs in Southern California with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion.  This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues.  The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital-improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion, $966 million in state and local taxes, and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues.

            LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.

            For more information about LAX, please visit www.lawa.aero/lax or follow on Twitter @flyLAXAirport, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport, and on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/laxairport1.  Information about LAX’s ongoing multi-billion-dollar LAX Modernization Program, as well as tips and shortcuts to help navigate LAX during construction, are available at www.LAXisHappening.com.