The new Delta Sky Way Phase 1 will be completed by mid-2023 instead of late 2024 as originally planned. The $1.86 billion modernization project will upgrade and connect Terminals 2, 3 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
On Thursday (November 12, 2020), Delta Air Lines and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) celebrated the “topping out” ceremony at the new headhouse structure where the carrier’s new consolidated check-in lobby, security checkpoint and baggage claim will be located. As a result of reduced airport traffic as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Delta and LAWA announced an acceleration of the new Delta Sky Way Phase one project by 18 months. $1.86 billion project will upgrade and connect Terminals 2, 3, and the Tom Bradley International Terminal by mid-2023 instead of the end of 2024 as originally planned. In Thursday’s announcement, Delta’s Vice President – Corporate Real Estate, Mark Pearson, said,
“If there’s a silver lining to fewer people flying right now, it’s that we have an opportunity and a team with the know-how to pull the future forward on infrastructure projects like Sky Way at LAX, which will deliver an exceptional experience much faster than planned for our customers and employees. This is all possible thanks to the incredible support of LAWA, the City of Los Angeles and our construction partners who are aligned with our vision, and our employees who continue to be nimble in supporting customers throughout each phase of construction.”
Delta’s new central headhouse will open in the first quarter of 2022 and provide connectivity beyond security between Terminals 2 and 2, which is now only available by shuttle bus. The modernization project will provide access to the LAX Automated People Mover by 2023. Also commenting on Thursday’s announcement, LAWA’s Chief Executive Officer, Justin Erbacci, added,
“As we reimagine Los Angeles International Airport, the modernization of Terminals 2 and 3 is an example of how we are realizing our goal to be one of the top international airports in the world by creating new facilities and passenger experiences that are modern, streamlined and built on a framework of advanced technology. The new headhouse will be a new front door for Delta Air Lines guests, creating a key linking point for the north terminals and providing easy access to the Automated People Mover train when it begins operations in 2023.”
Delta’s new LAX facility will provide additional screening capacity, automated security lanes, increased gate area seating and the airline’s largest-ever Delta Sky Club. The Delta Sky Way project is part of a $14 billion LAX Modernization Program which will be completed before the start of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, of which Delta is an inaugural founding partner.
Source: Delta Air Lines