Demolition looms for LAX terminal

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), an agency of the city of Los Angeles, has announced the closure of Terminal 5 at Los Angeles International Airport, or LAX, for its complete demolition, followed by construction of a replacement terminal.

During the project, additional gates will operate from the newly completed Midfield Satellite Concourse South (MSC South), which was built adjacent to the LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal.

The closure of Terminal 5 and the opening of MSC South are part of a $30 billion capital improvement program at LAX aimed at transforming the airport experience for employees and guests.

The new Terminal 5 is scheduled to reopen just before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

“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,” says Doug Webster, LAWA chief airport operations and maintenance officer. “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."

On its website, LAWA says it includes sustainability elements as part of its design, construction, operations and maintenance activities tied to its capital improvements project.

LAWA lists about two dozen completed and current projects for which it has attained or is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Among ways to accumulate LEED points on a project is to divert from landfill and recycle materials generated during the demolition, construction or renovation phases of a project.