Plans in the Works Will Give LAX Capacity to Become Nation’s Busiest Airport

The LAX Airfield and Terminal Modernization Project is planning to remodel and increase much of what we now have as the nation’s second busiest airport. Currently hosting 84.5 million passengers annually, the proposed changes now on deck will give it the capacity to step into the number one spot, ahead of Atlanta (Hartsfield – Jackson International) where there are currently 103.9 million passengers per year.

Los Angeles World Airports has initiated an environmental impact report for a project that could bring 23 passenger gates and a new automated people mover station to LAX. According to UrbanizeLA, this is the latest in a long series of improvements, highlighted by plans for two new passenger facilities.

The long-discussed Concourse 0, featuring 11 passenger gates, would be located immediately east of Terminal 1 on the northern side of LAX. Terminal 9, which would be located across the Sepulveda/Century Boulevard intersection from the central terminal area, would feature 12 passenger gates for international and domestic travel.

LAWA would accompany these proposed passenger facilities with roadway improvements, modifications to aircraft taxiways, and pedestrian bridges to connect Terminal 9 with a new automated people mover station and the rest of the airport.

Ground access to the new facilities would be provided by new and existing infrastructure. As there is no curbside access planned for Concourse 0, drop-offs and arrivals would access to the facility via Terminal 1. Terminal 9, located apart from the central terminal area, would have its own drop-off zone, as well as access to Terminal 8 and the new automated people mover through pedestrian bridges.

The proposed passenger facilities are the latest in a series of sweeping changes for LAX, which is in the midst of a $14-billion capital improvements project.

North of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which was reopened after an extensive renovation in 2012, work is underway for a $1.6-billion midfield satellite concourse with 12 passenger gates.

A groundbreaking ceremony was also held last month for the LAX automated people mover, which will link the central terminal area with new ground transportation hubs and a Metro Rail station on Aviation Boulevard upon opening in 2022.