by Webmaster

Airport Terminal Boosts L.A.'s Image

Finally, some glitz at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The 10 million travelers that annually fly in and out of Tom Bradley International Terminal will now begin and end their visit to the City of Angels with a positive impression of LAX thanks to a $737 million dollar renovation project that was celebrated last week.

The 26 year-old terminal was brand new for the 1984 Olympics, but it has resembled an aging, out of shape athlete for many years. Today, the citizens of Los Angeles can be proud again of America's No. 1 destination terminal for international visitors.

The three-year project that began construction in Feb. 2007 involved extensive interior renovations to the airline check-in lobbies, customs and immigration arrival halls, boarding gates, baggage carousels and in-line baggage screening.

The contemporary modernization also includes new elevators and escalators, new restrooms, a new passenger paging system, new digital signage and improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

In the arrivals lobby, walls of flat-screen displays and glass panels of changing light, and a circular LED (light-emitting diode) element provide a vibrant, colorful introduction to the city. Temporary exhibits sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Los Angeles World Airports will add new variety every several months.

The largest single component of the project added 45,000 square feet of space to house a new $140 million in-line, checked baggage security screening facility. While not visible to passengers, the new system will save time, reduce congestion at check-in and improve security.  Funding for this new baggage handling and security system from the Transportation Security Administration was a high priority during the L.A. Area Chamber's ACCESS Washington, D.C. - Southern California on the Hill lobbying trips the last three years.

Add to this good news the groundbreaking for the $1.545 billion Bradley West project that took place in February, Alitalia's announcement to resume non-stop service to Rome beginning June 5 and Delta's selection for a new daily non-stop flight to Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) and we have the start of an economic recovery at LAX.

LAX is one of the major economic engines of our community and we appreciate that it is finally getting the attention it needs. Hats off to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles City Council, the Transportation Security Administration, the Airport Board of Commissioners and Airport Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey and her staff. Keep the throttle at full speed.  It means jobs for thousands of our residents.

And that's The Business Perspective.