Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has taken another step towards beginning work on its cargo modernisation programme after selecting the development and design teams for the project.
The airport’s parent company Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has chosen a development team led by LAX Community Partners (LACP) and an environmental technical and expert consultant team led by Ricondo & Associates to work on the project.
LAX’s modernisation programme will revitalise its existing cargo operation sites, which range from 20 to 80 years old and are not fully compatible with every modern industry standard.
LAWA CEO Justin Erbacci said: “This project will provide more technically advanced and efficient cargo facilities and capabilities that will allow LAX to better power the economic vitality for the City of Los Angeles and the greater Southern California region.”
Along with furthering the airport’s cargo capabilities, work on the project will also continue LAX’s inclusivity goals as LACP has pledged to meet or exceed the aims surrounding the participation of local, inclusive businesses.
For example, the project will be built up using 22% small business enterprises (BE), 12% local BEs, 10% local small BEs, and 3% disabled veteran BEs.
LAWA’s chief development officer Terros Mestas said: “Through our Cargo Modernization Program, we will provide our partners with facilities that move cargo efficiently while having positive impacts on the surrounding community, LA’s economy and LAX's broader sustainability goals.”
Currently, LAX has three cargo areas across 2.6 million square feet, consisting of 27 buildings which processes over 2.7 million tonnes of cargo in 2022, making it the 5th busiest airport in the US by air cargo tonnage.
According to David Rose of Realterm, the lead developer for LACP, the new cargo facilities will mark a “revolutionary development” that will become a leading example for future air cargo facilities.
Alongside the cargo modernisation project, LAX has also been working on an overhaul of its Terminal 4 and 5 buildings, with the first phase of the project finishing in January of this year after the opening of the new Terminal 4.5 Core building, allowing access to both terminals as a central location.
