Western Airlines to Expand Terminal : Other Major Improvements to Be Made at LAX Facility

Western Airlines will embark soon on a $75-million, 230,000-square-foot expansion and remodeling of its passenger terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, according to Robin H. H. Wilson, company president and chief operating officer.

Construction is scheduled to start later this month or early in July on the project, which will provide for direct, same-level, passenger flow from curb to aircraft, and will include construction of a connector building between the existing ticketing building and the satellite--which will be modified and expanded to accommodate more passengers through more gates

As designed by Gensler & Associates, waiting rooms in the renovated terminal will be enlarged and handicapped facilities improved. Enclosed, extensible passenger loading ramps (called “jetways” by the airline) will be installed at every passenger gate.

There also will be a new, automated baggage handling system, and a pedestrian overpass is planned above the second-level of the airport’s roadway to connect the ticketing building with the multilevel parking structure.

The Los Angeles office of Swinerton & Walberg has been retained as general contractor to manage the 30-month construction program, which will add 130,000 square feet to, and remodel 100,000 square feet of, the airline’s present 191,824-square-foot terminal facility.

“Construction will be phased to provide for continuous operation of the facility without inconvenience to Western’s passengers or employees,” Wilson said.