LAX Economic Impact - A Year in Review
A message from LAWA’s CEO:
In our third reflection on 2017, we look back on LAWA's significant contribution to the regional economy. At LAX, we are undergoing a major transformation and have created an economic environment that is bringing jobs to the region and increasing consumer confidence.
We have executed plans for modernizing terminals and amenities as well as introduced new international routes. As our modernization efforts continue, we will endeavor to showcase all of what Los Angeles has to offer.
We strive to positvely impact the economy through policies that support good jobs, local business and local workforce development.
Deborah Flint
CEO, Los Angeles World Airports
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Highlights:
- New Nonstop Service to 11 International Destinations
- United Launches Longest Flight from United States | LAX to Singapore
- American Airlines Commits to Investment in Terminals 4 & 5
- Qantas Opens Only Maintenance Hangar in the U.S. that Accommodates A380
- Delta Move is Largest Successful Airline Relocation at an International Airport
- Thousands Attend Jobs and Resources Fair
- HireLAX Graduates First 26 Students
- Job Shadow Day Teaches Local Students About Aviation Careers
- LAWA Partners with Edge4Vets
Launched 11 New Nonstop International Flights
You can now reach more international destinations on nonstop flights from LAX. Added this past year were Acapulco, Barcelona, Chengdu, Chongqing, Qingdao, Queretaro, Shenzhen, Singapore, Vienna, Warsaw and Xiamen.
United Launches Longest Flight to or from U.S. -
LAX to Singapore
The nearly 18-hour flight breaks the previous record, held by Qantas, from Dallas to Sydney. At 8,700 miles, this journey on a Boeing Dreamliner connects Los Angeles to Singapore.
American Airlines Continues Terminal Upgrades
LAWA and American Airlines announced that the airline will commit to investing more than $1.6 billion at LAX over the next 15 years to dramatically improve Terminals 4 and 5. American Airlines' commitment sets the framework for negotiation of a new 15-year lease agreement which features airport improvement projects over the next 7-10 years.
“This deal with American to dramatically improve Terminals 4 and 5 along with projects like the new Midfield Satellite Concourse, the Automated People Mover, the Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility, and the renovation of Terminals 2 and 3 are to deliver on our top priority - giving our passengers the world class experience they expect and deserve,” said Sean Burton, President of Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners.
Qantas Opens Only Maintenance Hangar in U.S. That Can Accommodate an A380
Australia's largest airline unveiled the only facility in the U.S. that can hold and perform maintenance on the giant Airbus A380. The hangar is 480-feet by 370-feet and 12 stories tall. Qantas offers flights from Los Angeles to three locations in Australia.
Delta Relocates to Terminal 2 and 3
2017 saw a big move at the airport, with Delta Air Lines relocating to Terminals 2 and 3, the first step in its plan to modernize, upgrade and connect the two terminals over the next few years as part of the $1.9 billion LAX Delta Sky Way.
Delta Air Lines' move was one part of the largest terminal move in LAX history. Over a five-day period in May, one-third of LAX’s nearly 70 airline partners relocated their operations, many of them to new terminals, others to new ticket counters in their current home. Each airline completed its relocation overnight and resumed operations in their new location the following morning. The terminal move went smoothly and there were no reported delays attributable to the airline move.
“We’re incredibly proud of everyone involved in making the largest phase of ‘LAX on the Move’ a success,” said Trevor Daley, LAWA Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs. “Relocating over 20 airlines across terminals over a five-day period is a huge undertaking, but our airport community – our volunteers, operations staff, airline partners, ground service handlers and partner agencies – came together and did a remarkable job."
Spring Jobs & Resources Fair
It was a year full of community involvement for LAX as it hosted a Jobs and Resources Fair in Inglewood. The job fair introduced almost 1,000 job seekers from communities surrounding LAX to opportunities in aviation and other airport-related careers. Community resource organizations offered employment-related services to job seekers, such as resume writing and critiquing, job training and apprenticeships, and exploring education options.
HireLAX Graduates First 26 Students
Following an eight-week course consisting of construction principles, mathematics and physical education, 26 students graduated in October as the first class from the HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program (ARP).
“This graduating class is a reflection of our mission to serve and connect people and the world," said Deborah Flint, LAWA Chief Executive Officer. “Congratulations to the students on their journey to shape a future for themselves, the city and the airport.”
Antoney Williams, a HireLAX graduate, said, "Completing this program helps me pursue a better life by expanding my career to do great things."
Contractors performing work on LAWA projects are expected to exceed 30% local participation, with a workforce that reflects the diversity of Los Angeles. Graduates of the HireLAX ARP framework are poised to become a critical part of the multi-billion dollar capital improvement program at LAX, which includes the Landside Access Modernization Program and other major projects.
The next HireLAX class of 30 will begin in February 2018.
Job Shadow Day
For our younger community members, LAX welcomed 60 students to our annual Job Shadow Day. This event introduced students to the world of aviation, giving them the opportunity to “work” alongside employees in accounting, airlines, airfield operations, aviation services, engineering and other professions.
“Job Shadow Day provides an up-close look at how the skills learned in school are applied in the workplace,” said Trevor Daley, LAWA Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs.
In addition to Job Shadow Day, LAX Community Relations offers a year-round Gateways Student Internship Program for college students in various fields related to the airport.
Edge4Vets Partnership
LAX connected veterans with airport jobs through a partnership with the Edge4Vets jobs preparation program. This program provides training and coaching from HR professionals, other veterans and employee mentors.
“Veterans leave the service with the tools to be strong leaders in the workplace, but thousands in L.A. are still unemployed. That’s unacceptable, but not unsolvable,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “In partnership with my 10,000 Strong Initiative and LAWA, Edge4Vets is gearing up to connect veterans to full-time jobs, new opportunities and financial security they deserve after sacrificing so much for our country.”
LAX, the sixth-busiest airport in the world serving nearly 66 million guests in 2022, is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a proprietary, revenue-generating department of the City of Los Angeles that also governs Van Nuys Airport (VNY). As the international gateway to the Southern California region, LAX and its partners are dedicated to meeting global airport standards for customer satisfaction, safety, regional economic leadership, organizational performance and sustainability.
To better serve the millions of domestic and international guests that travel through LAX each year, the airport is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program to modernize its entire campus. Initiatives underway include an Automated People Mover, a Consolidated Rental Car Facility and two projects that will each add over one million square feet to the airport's existing property: Terminal 9 and Concourse 0. For more information about LAX, its transformation and its environmental, social and local workforce commitments, please visit flylax.com. Follow LAX on X (formally Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
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