LOS ANGELES | LAX Modernization Plan

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by Rail Claimore

The new mayor is apparently the one who's against runway relocation at LAX. It will be interesting to see what happens.

I agree with you. Hope he doesn't happens. I don't think ever relocation the runway. The runway is here to stay. They aren't going anywhere.

[StethJeff]

Gotta give AnVil credit. He's been good for both transportation as well as boosterism with our most important economic partners. If you're gonna build a shiny new international terminal, you better make sure people are aware of it. China is as good as any reason to build a world-class TBIT.


Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa off to China to promote business

By Rick Orlov, Staff Writer , @Rickorlovon Twitter - LA Daily News
Published: May 25, 2013, 4:15 PM
Updated: May 25, 2013, 4:56 PM

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is making his third trip to China today, leading a delegation of business and tourism leaders to promote travel and asking businesses to open offices in Los Angeles.

The trip to Beijing, from Sunday through Wednesday, is being paid for by the Los Angeles World Airports, Port of Los Angeles and the Tourism and Convention Board. Its cost is estimated at $80,000.

Villaraigosa is scheduled to meet with top government officials as well as business organizations, including China Shipping, Dalian Wanda Group and the Chinese Real Estate Chamber of Commerce to encourage the use of LAX and the Port of Los Angeles for the shipment of goods.

Among the issues to be discussed is the expanded capacity at the port and the modernization of LAX with improvements at the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

"The future of Los Angeles is closely tied to our neighbors in the Pacific Rim," Villaraigosa said, adding the trips he has made before have helped develop a foundation of political, social and business ties.

China is the top trading partner for Los Angeles, representing 39.4 percent of its total global trade.

"With trade and tourism driving our local economy, Los Angeles must maintain and cultivate its strong relationship with China to encourage increased investment, trade, and tourism in L.A.," Villaraigosa said.

The Mayor's Office estimated there are more than 300,000 local jobs tied to the import-export business.

Harbor Department Executive Director Geraldine Knatz said the port is in a highly competitive market for cargo.

"China is by far the port's largest trading partner," Knatz said. "Our focus is not only to protect those jobs, but to explore expanded trade opportunities. "

Tourism is a $16.5 billion a year industry for Los Angeles, supporting one in 10 jobs, the Mayor's Office said.

China has become the No. 1 overseas source of visitors, with 460,000 tourists.

Villaraigosa recently hosted Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun and other Chinese officials at the seventh Sino-U.S. Mayor's summit.

As part of that, Villaraigosa signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Chinese Real Estate Chamber of Commerce office in Los Angeles.

[JRinSoCal]

Very impressive!

Video Link

More pics of the new terminal at CurbedLA

[atlantaguy]

^Beautiful! Thanks for posting this JR.

[Quixote]

Basically it looks like the airport terminal version of Santa Monica Place. The architecture isn't the best, but the retail and concessions are impressive (almost to a fault). They really went all out with the designer shopping.

• Video Link

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Basically it looks like the airport terminal version of Santa Monica Place. The architecture isn't the best, but the retail and concessions are impressive (almost to a fault). They really went all out with the designer shopping.

I agree, Westsidelife - but it is a huge improvement.

I'm frankly surprised it's not sunnier than I imagined it to be with the new soaring ceilings. Obviously there isn't enough glass to make it feel more open and "airy."

I push a lot of people through here as part of my job, but I still haven't heard any feedback yet. Can't wait to see it in person.

[Illithid Dude]

Damn! Can't wait to fly out of there! I never understood, though, why people would go shopping at an airport. Just more stuff to lug around.

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Damn! Can't wait to fly out of there! I never understood, though, why people would go shopping at an airport. Just more stuff to lug around.

Airport concessions, along with landing fees, Passenger Facility Fees, and rental car taxes are an important source of revenue for airports.

International travelers also tend to be more affluent and they are a captive market while waiting in the Bradley West International Terminal for connecting flights.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Damn! Can't wait to fly out of there! I never understood, though, why people would go shopping at an airport. Just more stuff to lug around.

For last minute travel, I've purchased plenty of things at airports: Lonely Planet books, SD cards, various electronics chargers, LA branded gifts for people, and a watch at ZRH just to name a few. Like 202 said, it's a captive market that often has very little time and plenty of money to toss around.

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Damn! Can't wait to fly out of there! I never understood, though, why people would go shopping at an airport. Just more stuff to lug around.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duty-free_shop

When you're going to fly international, you're probably carrying a lot of cash and have a couple hours to kill. Why not go buy a bunch of s*** to pass the time?

[Quixote]

Even with all the tourists we get from China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, I'm still skeptical about there being a market for all that high-end shopping. From a quality standpoint, I love it. From a practical one, it may be a little too extravagant. Time will tell.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Even with all the tourists we get from China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, I'm still skeptical about there being a market for all that high-end shopping. From a quality standpoint, I love it. From a practical one, it may be a little too extravagant. Time will tell.

That *exact* same market exists in every decent airport serving a developed metro of 10+ million people so I don't see how a relatively rich world city like LA would be any different. Even airports serving much smaller cities have that sort of stuff.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

That *exact* same market exists in every decent airport serving a developed metro of 10+ million people so I don't see how a relatively rich world city like LA would be any different. Even airports serving much smaller cities have that sort of stuff.

The only problem is that it's all high-end shopping. The average traveler passing through TBIT isn't wealthy enough to afford goods from those luxury retailers. Some variety would be nice.

I am, however, very pleased with the absence of McDonald's and Burger King.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

The only problem is that it's all high-end shopping. The average traveler passing through TBIT isn't wealthy enough to afford goods from those luxury retailers. Some variety would be nice.

I am, however, very pleased with the absence of McDonald's and Burger King.

Again, the same exists in international airports in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. I'd think that the city of Rodeo, South Coast, Sunset, Melrose, etc. would appropriately have the same high-end airport stores that you'd find in PEK, EZE, ZRH, AMS, . . . Remind me again when Los Angeles WASN'T known internationally for high-end shopping, lifestyles, celebrity, commercialism, image, style, etc?? Besides, Hudson News, See's Candies, and all of the other bullshit is still in TBIT.

[Kingofthehill]

i have a flight out of TBIT in a little less than a week. really stoked to see these new updates. for far too long, flying from LAX has been at best ho-hum, and at worst dreadful.

[jg6544]

Frankly, I don't go to an airport to shop. I want decent food; cleanliness, and a means of getting around without having to walk if the place spreads all over hell-and-gone. Reasonably priced parking close at hand and relative ease of getting into and out of the airport are also nice.

LAX has none of those things.

[LAX_Alex]

Originally Posted by Kingofthehill

i have a flight out of TBIT in a little less than a week. really stoked to see these new updates. for far too long, flying from LAX has been at best ho-hum, and at worst dreadful.

The new Tom Bradley terminal will be open for passenger in August. There are only three gates that are being use right now, gate 130, 132 and 134. The terminal is not officially open yet

[Quixote]

• Video Link

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

• Video Link

All I say 'WOW!". It's so beautiful!!!! I am really like it lots. I never see that before. It was so incredible a brand new TBIT. I have no doubt about it.

[Quixote]

Too bad the concourses themselves weren't designed like the lightwells. That would've been something special.