In preparation for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, commonly known as the Paralympics, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) officially closed its Terminal 5 on October 28th for demolition and redevelopment.
According to reports from a local news agency, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) announced plans last week for three airlines to relocate from Terminal 5. JetBlue moved to Terminal 1, Spirit Airlines to Terminal 2, and American Airlines relocated its operations to Terminal 4 on the 28th, after which Terminal 5 was completely closed to begin the demolition process.
LAWA is responsible for managing two airports in the city – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport.
Doug Webster, the Director of Operations and Maintenance at Los Angeles World Airports, stated in a press release: “The closure of Terminal 5 is an important step in our transformation of LAX, marking a significant moment as we move towards a world-class airport experience. Our goal is to minimize disruptions during the transition period and work closely with our airline partners to ensure smooth operations and seamless travel for passengers.”
As JetBlue moved to Terminal 1 last week, LAX unveiled the recently completed Midfield Satellite Concourse South, an extension of the Tom Bradley International Terminal’s west boarding gates. This project added over 150,000 square feet of space and 8 boarding gates to the airport.
The reconstruction of Terminal 5 is part of LAWA’s $30 billion Capitol Improvement Program, which aims to comprehensively upgrade multiple facilities at LAX including road improvements, an Automated People Mover, and a Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility.
City officials and airport authorities are preparing for upcoming events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors to flock to Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
Earlier this year, LAWA also announced a new branding and marketing initiative to completely refresh the image of LAX in the future.
Over the next three years, LAWA will oversee and implement several upgrade projects, with architecture and design inspired by the cultural, historical, seasonal, and sporting characteristics of Los Angeles. The aim is to optimize retail, dining, and facility experiences and create a distinctive brand image different from other airports worldwide.
These design principles will be integrated into all major investment projects at the airport, including terminal upgrades, wayfinding systems, and arrival experiences.