LAX People Mover Delayed Again, Pushing Opening to January

The opening of the new Automated People Mover train at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has been postponed again, with its debut now expected in January after previously being targeted for October.

The 2.25-mile automated train, intended to transport passengers between terminals and to the LAX Metro Transit Center, was initially scheduled to be operational in 2023. The project, a component of a larger $3.3 billion infrastructure undertaking, has encountered multiple delays.

LAX Integrated Express Solutions, the contractor for the People Mover, disclosed in September that additional tasks remain incomplete, potentially extending beyond the original December deadline. The contractor indicated that January 6th is a potential opening date, but acknowledged that this timeline is not guaranteed. "There can be no assurances that achievement of the Passenger Service Availability Date will not be delayed further," the contractor stated.

Airport officials report that the project is more than 99% complete. However, significant hurdles remain, including approximately 30 days of continuous successful testing, an independent review, and an assessment by Los Angeles World Airports. Furthermore, a utility agreement with the city Department of Water and Power is still pending.

The LAX Automated People Mover, also known as SkyLink, commenced construction in 2019 with an initial budget of $1.9 billion. Cost overruns and contract disputes have since driven the project's total cost to an estimated $3.34 billion, including $1.34 billion in additional city payouts.

In July, the contractor LINXS filed a lawsuit against the city concerning unresolved contract and delay disputes, following an additional $880 million payment to the consortium.

Los Angeles World Airports has stated that safety protocols will not be compromised. "We will not compromise on these stringent safety protocols, as delivering a system that safely, dependably and durably serves Los Angeles and our upcoming global events is our primary focus," the agency said in a statement.

If the People Mover opens in January, it could face immediate demand from travelers attending the Super Bowl in February at nearby SoFi Stadium. The system missed the opportunity to serve fans during the recent World Cup.

Airport travelers expressed little surprise at the continued delays. "Like anything with construction, probably there’s going to be more delays," said traveler Robin Metz.