American Airlines and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officially broke ground on a US$1.6 billion modernization project to fully reimagine Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminals 4 and 5.

The project marks American’s largest individual investment at an airport in its 92-year history and reaffirms the airline’s commitment to Los Angeles.

The project will fully modernize and update the infrastructure of LAX’s two busiest domestic terminals.

When completed, the new facility will create a world-class customer experience from end to end, with open and efficient check-in and security processing areas; more inviting gate areas with increased seating and access to modern amenities; and greater ability for airline operations to quickly adapt to and incorporate rapidly evolving new technologies.

The project will also reimagine the workspace of American’s 7,300-plus team members at LAX. Collaborative and open spaces will be designed to meet modern needs, with renovated break rooms; multi-use small and large meeting rooms; and team gathering spaces incorporated throughout the terminals.

Construction is now underway to reconfigure the Terminal 5 ticket lobby, allowing for the buildout of the Landside Access Modernization Project (LAMP) Core, a new facility being built in between Terminals 4 and 5 that will provide vertical circulation (elevators, escalators and stairs) for passengers arriving from the new Automated People Mover (APM) train system. From there, the project will continue in a carefully planned, phased approach that will move from curbside to gate areas.

In total, the project is expected to generate more than 6,000 jobs with more than 30% dedicated to local labor and 20% for minority- and women-owned business participation.