New Concourse Approved at LAX

What:
With the aim of improving travel experiences at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of building a new concourse. The Midfield Satellite Concourse will include 12 gates in its first phase of construction and serve as an addition to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). The concourse will afford LAX more flexibility and gate space, and passengers will be less likely to get bused to remote gates.

Why It Matters:
LAX is the seventh busiest airport in the world and the third busiest in the U.S., and according to Los Angeles World Airports, passenger growth is at record levels. While that’s good news about the lure of travel, a crowded terminal can create a bad experience for clients — who might decide they don’t want to travel again. Fortunately for West Coast agents, LAX is working on improving its infrastructure to accommodate visitors and keep transportation experiences positive.

Fast Facts:
- The new concourse will connect to TBIT via a 1,000-foot-long passenger tunnel.

- A second phase will add additional gates on the south end of the terminal.

- The concourse has been designed to achieve LEED Silver certification and CAL Green Tier 1 status and should be operational by late 2019.

- The North Gates phase of the MSC will include two gates for Group VI aircraft such as the Airbus 380 super-jumbo and the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, while the remaining 10 gates will be able to handle Group V aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 and 787, and Airbus 330.

What They Are Saying:
“At LAX we are always striving to do a better job getting passengers to their gates as quickly as possible after landing,” said Sean Burton, president of the Board of Airport Commissioners. “The board’s support for the midfield concourse is indicative of our desire to continue to improve the passenger experience and provide a welcoming front door for visitors to Los Angeles.”

The Details