
(June 24, 2025)
Charles Pannunzio is community relations director for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates Los Angeles International (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) general aviation airports, as well as aviation-related property in Palmdale. He described the $30 billion capital improvement project at LAX, of which $18.6 billion has been completed or is in progress. Many features of the airport are being upgraded, including aircraft gates, parking, terminals, curbside access, baggage and cargo management, lounges and concessionaires.
The new Automated People Mover (APM) is a 2.25-mile elevated guideway for automated electric trains with 6 stations, 3 inside the central terminal area and the others serving LAX economy parking, consolidated Rent-A-Car facility, and the airport connector station, which will provide convenient access from the 405 freeway and the Metro line without driving into the congested airport area. It will operate around the clock. During peak hours, nine 4-car sets will operate, each carrying up to 200 passengers and their luggage. Trains will arrive at stations every 2 minutes during peak hours with total travel time of 10 minutes. Its operation is anticipated to begin in early 2026.
The consolidated Rent-A-Car facility was completed in March 2024. It has electric vehicle charging facilities with solar power input. The Intermodal transportation facility will have 7300 feet of new curb front for passenger pickup and drop-off without driving into the terminal area. Its anticipated completion is early 2026. Street access is also being improved, to reduce congestion and the impact on surrounding streets. This is expected to be mostly completed before the 2028 LA Olympics. (Up-to-date airport travel information is available at https://flylax.com.)
