MAYOR GARCETTI CUTS RIBBON ON PHASE ONE OF DELTA SKY WAY PROJECT AT LAX

“LAX is a central pillar of our economic strength, and our ability to bounce back so strongly from the pandemic is largely tied to direct investments we’ve made to help realize its full potential,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “This facility is just the latest milestone in our work to completely reimagine this airport — joining a long list of recently completed projects that are transforming the passenger experience and turning LAX into one of the premier airports in the world.” 

The new building, which will officially open to the public on April 20, will offer consolidated locations for ticketing and check-in, security screening, and baggage claim. The new facility will offer facial recognition technology to allow travelers to check their bags hands-free and boast one the largest Delta Sky Clubs in Delta’s network, featuring over 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space.

To date, workers on the project have earned more than $228 million in wages, with nearly 30 percent of the workforce coming from the local community. Five graduates of the nationally recognized HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program also have worked on the project. The building was designed to meet Los Angeles World Airports’ (LAWA) sustainability goals and is targeting a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The project, which is the first in a larger series of phased openings for the modernization of Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX, has been accelerated by 18 months and will later include a reconstructed Terminal 3 concourse and a post-security connection to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. When the Delta Sky Way at LAX is complete late next year, Terminals 2 and 3 will be a consolidated, 1.2-million-square-foot, 27-gate complex, providing connections between Terminals 2 and 3 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal. 

“By modernizing our airport and making the travel experience more comfortable, LAX will continue to be an economic anchor for the region," said Councilmember Joe Buscaino. "With tens of millions of people passing through our airport annually, and many international visitors expected for the Olympic Games in 2028, these improvements are vital to ensuring we can provide visitors the world-class experience they deserve."?

“Our shared commitment with Delta Air Lines to create opportunities in our local community has resulted in hundreds of jobs for workers on our construction teams who have put in nearly a million work hours to efficiently deliver this state-of-the-art headhouse," said Beatrice Hsu, Board of Airport Commissioners President. “We are grateful to all of our partners who have helped us realize this next step in the overall transformation of our airport.”  

“The modernization of the Terminals 2 and 3 headhouse is an outstanding example of how Los Angeles International Airport is transforming our facilities and adopting innovative solutions to make the passenger journey more efficient, secure and pleasant," said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. “We are very excited about this latest collaboration with Delta Air Lines that will provide passengers with an amazing new front door to Terminals 2 and 3.” 

“Over a decade ago, we committed to becoming the premier airline of Los Angeles. Today, we are celebrating a huge milestone in making the Delta Sky Way project dream a reality,” said Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer, Delta Air Lines. “In partnership with LAWA and the City of Los Angeles, we’ve built a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will make travel through LAX a seamless and elevated experience. This terminal unveiling is just one example of our many critical infrastructure investments totaling more than $12 billion across the country. From coast to coast, customers will choose Delta for leading with innovation to build the airports of the future.”

LAX is in the midst of a $14.5 billion Capital Improvement Program, the largest airport project of its kind in the nation. The overhaul touches all nine passenger terminals and includes the creation of new facilities, including the Automated People Mover train system and a Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility. This past fall, Mayor Garcetti celebrated the opening of the LAX Economy Parking, a $294 million, 1.7-million-square-foot facility that has approximately 4,300 new parking stalls. Last summer, he celebrated the opening of the Terminal 1 extension at LAX, a $477.5 million, 283,000 square-foot extension of Terminal 1. In May of last year, Mayor Garcetti dedicated the opening of the West Gates of Tom Bradley International Terminal — a $1.73 billion investment that adds 15 gates and 750,000 square feet just west of Tom Bradley.

SOURCE: https://www.lamayor.org/mayor-garcetti-cuts-ribbon-phase-one-delta-sky-way-project-lax