LAX, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs and a US gateway for Australians, has always been a hit-and-miss experience. Now, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) wants to change that perception by reimagining the LAX entry experience to make it “more LA”.
Ahead of the Thanksgiving peak travel period in the US, LAWA has unveiled a USD$308 million (around AUD$477 million) Central Terminal Area (CTA) Curbside Improvement Program to deliver a more efficient travel experience for Los Angeles International Airport by an unspecified date.
The project aims to create a modern and cohesive experience that is distinctly “Los Angeles” and reflects the city’s energy and culture, but without the traffic issues.
Elements will include LA-centric visual details such as palm trees, modern design and landscaping alongside comfortable seating, modern benches and more accessible, pedestrian-friendly spaces at arrivals and departures.
The project will deliver improved pedestrian safety, lighting and upgraded roadways and crosswalks for seamless pick-ups and drop-offs and a better travel experience.
The iconic Theme Building and air traffic control tower will also get a glow-up with new lighting, reinforcing LAX’s identity as a world gateway that embodies the “unique spirit of Southern California”.
The CTA Curbside Improvement Program will now enter its construction phase, advancing LAWA’s new identity narrative to “put the ‘LA’ in LAX” by transforming the hub from a transit point into a world-class destination.
LAWA’s Hans Thilenius said: “This next phase of LAX’s transformation represents far more than infrastructure, it’s about creating a first and last impression of Los Angeles that is welcoming, inspiring and unmistakably reflective of our city’s character.”
“The improvements will elevate how travellers experience LAX, aligning with the broader transformation already underway at and around our airport.”
LAX forecasts 2.5 million passengers will travel through the airport between 20 November and 1 December for the Thanksgiving holiday period with more than 230,000 pax on Sunday, 30 November as the single busiest day.
For more info, head to flylax.com
