LAX Modernization Status Update -October 19, 2009

The most important airport project approval, Bradley West Project at LAX which will rebuild Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) about 130 feet further west, had about $1 billion in bonds approved today. This project will add new flex gates on the back that are large enough to handle the giant newer, larger aircraft like the Airbus A380 by 2012 and will increase the core building size by 2015. Denny Schneider, President of ARSAC, told BOAC today, “We support the project because we need to stop apologizing for poor customer service to our tourists, but several additional things should have been done to make it even better. We should have improved the curbside frontage, added bomb glass for security, and added even more concessions to accommodate friends bringing travelers to LAX. We still disagree with the EIR approval process, but time is of the essence to meet the aggressive schedule promised to the City Council. ”

Also approved today was an amendment to the new Crossfield Taxiway project for about $26 million.

The Central Utilities Plan Project to increase power and heating/cooling capacity to meet current and anticipated needs is continuing. Many additional maintenance and refurbishment projects are needed all over LAX. We continue to wait for a full list of Capital projects is due to be released soon, but we understand that it will include the start of urgently needed repairs to the Central Terminal Area upper roadway.

Regionalization of airport transportation will be helped by a new plan to involve Disney with efforts to improve Orange County use of LA/Ontario Airport.