Mayor Jim Hahn Announces $225-Million Upgrade of Tom BradleyInternational Terminal at LAX

Source: Los Angeles World Airports

Mayor Jim Hahn Announces $225-Million Upgrade of Tom Bradley International 
Terminal at LAX

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn today 
announced a $225-million project to renovate the interior of the Tom Bradley 
International Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for 
improved operational efficiency and enhanced customer satisfaction. Nearly 40 
percent of the estimated cost is allocated to security and safety upgrades. The 
terminal overhaul will be the most extensive capital improvement project 
undertaken by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) since the 1984 Summer Olympics. 

"Los Angeles International Airport is a global gateway for millions of 
travelers every year, which is why we are determined to ensure that LAX 
maintains the highest levels of safety, security and efficiency in the years 
ahead," said Mayor Hahn. "We must make the necessary investments to ensure that 
LAX maintains its prominence as an international hub and a major economic 
engine for our region." 

The $225-million project will be financed with a combination of airport 
revenues, Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), and LAWA's commercial paper 
program. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration is expected to 
reimburse LAWA for up to 90 percent of the cost of installing the outbound 
baggage security screening system. At an estimated cost of $72 million, the 
screening system complies with a federal mandate to screen 100 percent of all 
checked luggage and will replace an interim solution in place since December 
31, 2002, that has resulted in increased passenger congestion and circulation 
challenges. 

"Since Tom Bradley International Terminal opened in 1984, it has welcomed 
millions of passengers to Los Angeles from all over the world," said Los 
Angeles City Councilmember Cindy Miscikowski (11th District). "But over the 
years, wear and tear has begun to show and it is time to remake the terminal in 
the image of Los Angeles as the Gateway to the Pacific Rim and the world." 

"Preserving and enhancing international gateway service at LAX is a critical 
component of the regional air transportation solution for Southern California 
envisioned and promoted by Mayor Hahn," said Los Angeles Board of Airport 
Commissioners President Ted Stein. "Even as we look to the other airports in 
the region to do their part to meet the growing demand for air service, we 
recognize the unique role of international service at LAX." 

Other major elements of the TBIT renovation project on both the 
Upper/Departures and Lower/Arrivals Levels include: 


  -- Dynamic overhead signage and plasma displays for flight 
     information and other public communication;

  -- Improved acoustics and lighting of all public areas, including 
     new back-lit walls and more exterior windows for natural light;

  -- New canopy over ticketing counters and back walls;

  -- New terrazzo and carpet flooring;

  -- Improved ramps and stairs for easier passenger access to 
     bus-gate holdrooms and exits from federal inspection areas;

  -- New food/beverage and retail concessions with outdoor seating,
     a children's play area, and a second-level walkway connecting 
     the mezzanine seating area to new concessions;

  -- More "intimate" and relaxing in-transit waiting lounges;

  -- Replacing existing airline clubs with new combined airline 
     lounges;

  -- Faster-throughput baggage claim carousels;

  -- Upgrading all elevators, escalators and moving walkways.

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners is expected to consider 
authorization to request proposals for construction management in the near 
future and will begin soliciting construction bids in May 2004. 

Thirty-two international air carriers currently operate at TBIT, serving more 
than nine million passengers annually. LAX serves almost one-third of all air 
travelers between the United States and Asia-Pacific, the fast growing 
international market in the world. 

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