American Airlines has committed to investing more than $1.6bn over the next 15 years to improve Terminals 4 and 5 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the US.

A letter of intent (LoI) with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) sets the framework to negotiate a new agreement for a 15-year lease at the airport, which will enable American Airlines to receive additional gates and deliver airport improvement projects.

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Over the next seven to ten years, the airport improvement projects to be delivered include a new vertical circulation core with a connection to the landside automated people movers (APM) train system.

The projects will also include the integration of passenger check-in and baggage claim areas, improvements to check-in facilities in T5, and the centralisation of the T4 and T5 security screening checkpoint at the APM level.

"This investment will not only improve the customer experience, but it will also give our employees a better place to work every day while allowing us to continue to grow in the marketplace."

In addition, the terminals will be linked by an above-ground connection extending from the T4 / TBIT Connector to T5.

American Airlines chairman and CEO Doug Parker said: “This investment will not only improve the customer experience, but it will also give our employees a better place to work every day while allowing us to continue to grow in the marketplace.”

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LAWA noted that the improvements will be made by tearing down the lobby areas of T4 and T5 and by building a new facility.

LAWA board of commissioners president Sean Burton said: “This deal with American to dramatically improve terminals 4 and 5 along with projects like the new Midfield Satellite Concourse, the Automated People Mover, the consolidated rental car facility, and the renovation of terminals 2 and 3 are to deliver on our top priority – giving our passengers the world class experience they expect and deserve.”

LAX, which served more than 80.9 million passengers last year, is one of two Southern California airports owned and operated by LAWA. 

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