LAX plans for major $4.1 billion makeover to become a more attractive destination

Times have changed and LAX - for reasons relating to budgets and local politics that would be familiar to an operator of any airport wedged into a dense urban area - has not.

Photo by Dr. Bert Delgado.

However, the advent of so-called Group 6 aircraft such as the A380, Boeing 787-8 and biggest 777s has spurred action, resulting in what LAWA claims to be the biggest construction project in Los Angeles: a $4.1 billion modernisation scheme that will add 18 new gates - including nine dedicated to Group 6 aircraft - along the western edge of the existing Bradley terminal complex.

The plan now, backed by Bradley West - and, possibly, future improvements to the North airfield runway layout, to better accommodate Group 6 aircraft movements - is to get LAX better connected.