Earlier this week, Global Traveler‘s Megan Hill wrote “LAX to Build $2 Billion Rental Car Facility,” reporting on the planned building of a consolidated rental car facility at the Los Angeles International Airport. The 28-year contract awarded to a consortium of 11 companies ends a month of negotiations.

Los Angeles World Airport’s Board of Airport Commissioners approved the project, including a 5.3-million-square-foot facility with 20 car rental offices; 6,600 ready/return spaces; 10,000 vehicle storage spaces; 1,100 employee spaces; and Quick Turn Around Facilities for car washing, fueling and maintenance. The facility is expected to open in 2023, with construction beginning in 2019.

© Maria Feklistova Dreamstime.com

This is the third and final part of the Landside Access Modernization Program, a $6 billion plan to improve ground access to LAX. Earlier this year the airport panel awarded contracts for a 2.25-mile automated people mover system connecting the car rental facility with the airport and a parking structure at a facility connecting bus and rail transportation to the people mover.

The project is a huge undertaking aimed at reducing congestion at the airport. By relocating and consolidating the car rental facilities, there will be a reduction in vehicle and passenger traffic. Shuttles, rental cars and passengers will be kept away from the LAX terminal loop. LAWA CEO Deborah Flint stated, “We are now in a position to deliver a world-class transportation experience worthy of an international gateway city.

Additional benefits include a reduction in emissions (because of an estimated 100,000 less vehicle miles traveled), improved time reliability, the creation of several thousand construction jobs, the incorporation of public art throughout the facilities and more. The project is also good news for neighboring areas. By relocating car rental facilities, traffic in those communities will also be reduced.

Representatives from other major airports have kept a close watch on the development of this situation. Expect to see more airports following this model, and expect Global Traveler to report on any major developments at LAX and all airports.

— John Wroblewski, online writer