The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has approved plans for a new six-story facility linking terminals 1 and 2 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California. The project now requires final approval from the Los Angeles City Council.
As well as acting as a connector between the terminals, the new 417,000ft² Terminal 1.5 building will provide passengers with additional space for ticketing on the upper level, security screening on the concourse level, and baggage claim on the lower level. Levels four and five will be used as office space and a basement will house building-systems support and storage areas for the airlines, concessionaires and maintenance crews. The facility will not have any boarding gates.
Sean O Burton, president of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, said, “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. It will also make it easier for passengers making connections between terminals 1 and 2.”
Deborah Flint, CEO, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), said, “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 significant step toward tying the north side terminals together. This is another way LAX is working toward becoming the gold standard among airports, both in the USA and around the world.”