The Los Angeles World Airports Authority (LAWA) announced the upcoming closure of Terminal 5 in the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and plans for its complete demolition to deliver a brand-new terminal and airport experience.
It’s anticipated that the new terminal will reopen before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games that will be held in the City of Angels. Terminal 5 airlines will relocate operations in phases that began on October 21, with full closure going into effect on October 28.
Transforming LAX
Doug Webster, the Chief Airport Operations and Maintenance Officer at LAWA, has said:
“As we take this important step toward transforming LAX, the closure of Terminal 5 marks a pivotal moment in our journey to deliver a world-class airport experience. Our goal is to minimize disruption during this transition, and we are working closely with our airline partners to ensure continued operations and smooth travel for our passengers.”
Opening of MSC South
To help with the transition, the newly completed Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC South), an extension of the West Gates at Tom Bradley International Terminal, along with other existing terminals, will ensure continued operations for passengers and flights that were using Terminal 5.
MSC South opened to the public on October 21, adding over 150,000 square feet and eight gates to LAX’s footprint. The project was delivered on time and on budget, using the Offsite Construction and Relocation (OCR) technique, a technique which allows for segments of the project to be constructed at a different location before being transported to the final site for installation.
It is expected that the innovative and adaptive OCR technique will be used for Terminal 5. The closure of Terminal 5 and the opening of MSC South are part of LAWA’s mission to transform the airport experience. The critical investments at the airport are all part of LAX’s $30 billion Capital Improvement Program.
Check-in and ticketing changes
Until the new Terminal 5 opens, check-in and ticketing will have the following changes:
- JetBlue will operate out of Terminal 1, beginning October 21
- Spirit Airlines will operate out of Terminal 2, beginning October 22
- American Airlines will operate out of Terminal 4, beginning October 28
What do you think of LAX’s new terminal upgrade? Let us know in the comments!
