The Midfield Satellite Concourse North Project is a part of the multi-billion dollar modernization program underway at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). LAX is the nation’s third busiest airport in annual passengers, and the fifth busiest airport in annual aircraft operations. Although it has functioned as an airport since 1928, the main terminal complex at LAX was constructed in 1961 and its facilities must be continually updated and maintained to meet the needs of travelers and airlines in the 21st century.
The Midfield Satellite Concourse North Project consists of a new multi-level concourse, associated aircraft parking aprons, taxiways/taxilanes, and utilities. The MSC North Project will be located in the central area of the airfield west of Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
No. The new concourse will not affect the total number of passengers at LAX, or the number or frequency of aircraft flights. It will provide state-of-the-art facilities for existing aircraft and passengers at LAX, and flexibility for ongoing modernization needed at other LAX terminals which could include pavement rehabilitation and the provision of new passenger boarding bridges, that may require the closure of existing gates.
MSC will contain 12 aircraft gates, including two for new large Group VI aircraft, such as the Airbus A380 or the Boeing 747-8. The remaining 10 gates will be capable of handling Group V aircraft, such as Boeing 777 and 787, and the Airbus A330. As of today, it has not been determined what airlines will operate out of MSC. However, MSC is able to accommodate domestic or international flights alike.
The MSC North Project is being phased to permit a construction process that is minimally disruptive to ongoing operations, and to complete the MSC North Concourse as quickly as possible. LAWA needs these facilities to accommodate day-to-day operations while the modernization of other terminals is underway, and to better accommodate the larger aircraft currently operating at LAX. Most LAWA projects, given their size and cost, are typically built out in phases. The MSC Program is extensive, and phasing was always intended, like the modernization project for TBIT. LAWA cannot afford to displace large areas in the landside and/or airside, and has become proficient in managing the phased nature of major projects. At this point, LAWA can only move forward on the first phase given all the modernization projects at LAX, the current capital estimate, and funding availability.
Please refer to "Schedule" tab.
As for the traveling public, the construction of the new concourse is taking place on the airfield, west of Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), and will have minimal impact on passengers. Tunnels and gateway building construction around TBIT to support the new concourse will be phased so that now more than two TBIT gates will be closed at any time.
During construction the number of workers will peak at over 1,200. Direct wages will surpass $300 million and more than $220 million of the work will be performed by Small Business Enterprises, equivalent to more than 16 percent of the total contract value.
The MSC is designed to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and will meet the requirements of CAL Green Tier 1. Some of the sustainable features include: