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LOS
ANGELES – Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa
was joined today by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and Singapore
Airlines executives to unveil the north concourse and three gates
of the New Tom Bradley International Terminal (New TBIT) at Los
Angeles International Airport (LAX). The gates are the first of
18 to be built at New TBIT.
Nine of
the 18 gates – including two of the three unveiled today
-- can accommodate the larger, new-generation aircraft, such as
the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and Airbus A-380 super jumbo
jets. All 18 gates will use state-of-the-art, laser-based, visual
guidance docking systems. Computerized passenger boarding bridges
automate the operations between the terminal and aircraft doors.
LAWA is installing three passenger boarding bridges at all of
the new A-380-compatible gates, which will greatly improve the
amount of time to load and unload an aircraft.
At the
boarding gates, electrical outlets and USB ports for charging
personal electronic equipment, such as cell phones, tablets, and
laptops, are installed at each bank of seats. Free Wi-Fi service
– already accessible throughout LAX terminals -- also is
available.
“We’re
investing in LAX because it isn’t just a travel hub, it’s
the gateway to the Pacific Rim and a central driver of our regional
economy,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “With these modernizations
at the New Tom Bradley International Terminal, LAX will showcase
our City’s innovative spirit and ensure we remain competitive
in the global market for years to come.”
“The
overall goal of the LAX Modernization Program is to dramatically
improve the passenger experience with a building designed to capture
the spirit of Los Angeles, while establishing new levels of passenger
convenience and comfort,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive
director of Los Angeles World Airports, the City department that
owns and operates LAX and two other Southern California airports.
“We are creating an airport that is safer and more secure,
more energy-efficient, and customer-friendly with the types of
services and amenities passengers demand today.”
More than
30 airlines operate at the Bradley Terminal, using more than 20
different types of aircraft. All airline gate personnel have to
be trained and certified to use the new passenger boarding bridges
with their particular types of aircraft.
Demonstrating
how the new gates operate to news media covering the unveiling
event, Singapore Airlines’ daily flight SQ 12 from Singapore
(on A-380 aircraft) arrived and docked at Gate 134, the northern-most
gate of the new terminal.
Singapore
Airlines Regional Vice President-Americas C.W. Foo said, “Singapore
Airlines salutes LAWA’s commitment to developing this world-class
facility for travelers, and for using innovative technology to
further enhance the safety and efficiency of this important point
in our global network. This state-of-the art terminal is an ideal
fit for SIA’s long-held philosophy of providing our customers
with the industry’s best service, amenities and facilities.
We salute our partners at LAWA for their innovative, forward-looking
use of efficiency-enhancing technology to benefit international
travelers.”
In 2012,
LAX served nearly 63.7 million passengers, of which nearly 17.2
million (or 27 percent) were international travelers. The Tom
Bradley International Terminal served 8.6 million (or 50 percent)
of LAX’s total international passengers.
Gate 134
became operational last September, and Gates 130 and 132 became
operational last week. Schedules vary, but on average, 12 to 16
arrivals and departures currently use these new gates each day.
Currently five international airlines (Air France, China Southern,
Korean, Qantas and Singapore) provide daily A-380 service and
Lufthansa German Airlines provides Boeing 747-8 daily service.
More airlines are scheduled to bring service on the larger, new-generation
aircraft, making LAX the U.S. West Coast’s leading airport
with such service.
Completion
of the three gates and the interior of the north concourse represent
a major milestone toward completion of the $1.5-billion New TBIT
Project, and the opening of the project’s first phase this
summer. Phase 1 includes a Great Hall with 150,000 square feet
of premium dining and shopping, airline lounges, and other passenger
amenities including a play area for children. It also includes
nine new boarding gates on the west side of the terminal. Phase
2, which includes the gates on the east side of the terminal and
expanded areas for federal passenger security screening and customs
and immigration processing, is scheduled to be completed in 2014.
The New
Tom Bradley International Terminal Project is the largest public
works project in the City’s history and is creating 4,000
construction-related jobs during its four-year project schedule
and is expected to create thousands of permanent jobs upon completion.
Airport officials estimate that 90 percent of the construction
workforce comes from the Southern California region, and nearly
40 percent of the workers are residents of the City of Los Angeles
and other communities near LAX.
Funding
for the project comes from LAX’s operating revenues, fees
from airlines, passenger facility charges, and airport revenue
bond proceeds. No money from the City’s general fund is
being used.
About
Los Angeles International Airport
LAX is
the sixth busiest airport in the world and third in the United
States, offering 680 daily flights to 96 domestic cities and 930
weekly nonstop flights to 59 cities in 30 countries on 63 commercial
air carriers. It ranks 13th in the world in air cargo tonnage
processed. In 2012, LAX served nearly 63.7 million passengers,
processed over 1.9 million tons of air cargo valued at nearly
$89.6 billion, and handled 605,480 aircraft operations (landings
and takeoffs). An economic impact study in 2011 reported that
operations at LAX generated 294,400 jobs in Los Angeles County
with labor income of $13.6 billion and economic output of more
than $39.7 billion. This activity added $2.5 billion to local
and state revenues. LAX is part of a system of three Southern
California airports – along with LA/Ontario International
Airport and Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and
operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department
of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s
general fund.
For more
information about LAX, please visit www.lawa.aero/lax
or follow us on Twitter @LAX_Official,
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport,
and on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/laxairport.
For Information about the LAX Modernization Program, please visit
www.la-next.com.
