LAX Airport Selects Developer for Groundbreaking Cargo Transformation Project
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has chosen a consortium led by Realterm, the largest manager of on-airport air cargo real estate in North America, to undertake a revolutionary cargo improvement project. This ambitious endeavor aims to transform outdated cargo facilities throughout the vast airport complex into a state-of-the-art cargo village, optimizing capacity and efficiency. As the largest traditional international gateway in the United States and the second-largest cargo airport (excluding major parcel hubs), LAX's cargo upgrade is crucial to remain competitive and accommodate future growth.
The selected consortium, known as LAX Community Partners, plans to construct a cutting-edge two-story facility covering 1.6 million square feet, equipped with advanced material handling technology to enhance cargo throughput. The project includes a truck staging lot and off-site cargo support facilities to streamline trucking operations securely. Automatic license plate readers and artificial intelligence will be utilized to track processing times, ensuring more efficient operations. This transformational initiative is the first of its kind in cargo history and promises to set a precedent for future air cargo facilities. Although the specific cost is yet to be disclosed, the project is expected to span several years, with environmental review starting in the third quarter of 2024 and construction lasting into the next decade.
Los Angeles is reimagining about 3,229 acres near its harbors—connecting communities like San Pedro and Wilmington—to boost transit, pedestrian areas, and clean industrial uses, aiming for a healthier environment.