Villaraigosa to unveil $229-million overhaul of Delta’s LAX terminal

The overhaul of domestic passenger facilities at Los Angeles International Airport gained momentum Thursday with the start of a $229-million renovation of the Delta Air Lines terminal.

Plans call for a complete remodel and expansion of Terminal 5, including a private VIP check-in lobby, a renovation of the lounge facilities in the Delta Sky Club and a doubling in size of both the ticketing areas and security checkpoints.

New baggage carousels also will be added to the terminal, as well as improved facilities to recheck international luggage and an array of new restaurants and shops that reflect the culture and lifestyle of Los Angeles.

The project, expected to create about 200 construction jobs, is scheduled to be finished in 2015. Some work is already underway.

“This is an important milestone in the continuing modernization of LAX,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports. “The partnership with Delta Air Lines is enabling significant improvement in customer service and convenience for domestic and international travelers.”

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles World Airports officials and Delta executives are scheduled to announce the terminal project late Thursday morning at a news conference.

The work is part of an ongoing modernization of runways, taxiways and domestic and international passenger facilities, the centerpiece of which has been the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

In March 2012, a $238-million renovation of Terminal 6, which serves Alaska Air Lines, was completed. Half of Terminal 3 has been remodeled, and overhauls are planned for Terminals 1, 4, 7 and 8.

Delta Air Lines employs more than 3,000 workers at LAX and is the third-busiest carrier at the airport, serving nearly 7.5 million passengers in 2012.

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