;
;
As one of the largest infrastructure projects in Los Angeles, the Delta Sky Way at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) provides an enhanced customer journey from curb to gate with the consolidation and modernization of Terminals 2 and 3. The new facility boasts more automated security lanes and gate area seating, as well as a world-class concession program in partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW). The consolidated Terminal 3 facility provides direct connections to the Tom Bradley International Terminal via the secure airside connector, as well as one of the largest Delta Sky Club’s in the airline’s system.
Arup is the Design Team Lead and Engineer of Record, leading multiple firms and more than 250 engineers, designers, architects, and planners to deliver the project. Arup’s team provided the depth and breadth of disciplines necessary for such an endeavor, including airport planning; civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering; lighting design; acoustic design and paging; façades; sustainability consulting; operational readiness activation and transition; digital advisory; information technology and communications; security; fire and life safety, fire protection, and fire alarm services. Over the course of the project, Arup has also engaged and liaised with both the city and airport departments and personnel, developing a detailed understanding of the airport, Delta Air Lines, and their joint goals.
Project Summary
20 Arup disciplines
$2.3billionproject
3 nightsto relocate Delta’s operations to Terminals 2 and 3
Successfully relocating Delta Air Lines in three nights
To begin work on the Delta Sky Way redevelopment, Delta first needed to shift its base of operations from Terminals 5 and 6 to Terminals 2 and 3. Due to a lack of spare capacity in any of the four terminals, the airport’s high volume of traffic, and the large number of stakeholders that needed to be involved, the relocation was anticipated to take place over six months.
Instead, Arup, Delta and the project team proposed that the relocation could be done in three nights – and successfully completed one of the most challenging terminal moves in commercial aviation history. Starting after the last flight left and finishing before the next morning’s first arrival, the Sky Way project team was able to complete the relocation without incident and without impacting airport operations. Compared to the original plan, this approach was less expensive, less risky, and less disruptive for passengers.
A wide range of projects were required to facilitate the move, including an overhaul of the existing ITC systems and installation of proprietary systems and equipment, renovation and rebranding of passenger facilities that include check-in and airline lounges, various capacity enhancement projects, and the restriping of 53 aircraft gates.
After the relocation, Delta experienced a 50% reduction in taxi times for inbound aircraft and a 25% improvement in connection times, greatly benefiting their business and enabling the successful commencement of the Delta Sky Way redevelopment project.
“Arup is honored to partner with Delta to lead such a large-scale project that will shape the future of Los Angeles International Airport as a regional and global aviation hub. Our partnership with all stakeholders involved is the key to success, enabling us to use this project as an opportunity to improve passenger experience and create a state-of-the-art facility. ”
Jenny Buckley Global Aviation Leader and Americas Transport Leader
© Gensler / Ryan Gobuty
Leading a complex multidisciplinary design team
Arup led the next phase of the project, the Delta Sky Way Redevelopment, as Prime consultant. Following the successful relocation of Delta’s operations, this project delivered the consolidation of Terminals 2 and 3 into one holistic operation with shared landside and airside services and a unified customer experience. Now open, the facility offers an enhanced passenger experience and optimized airline operations.
© Gensler / Ryan Gobuty
The project enables capacity increases for both greater passenger throughput and a wider variety and number of aircrafts. In addition, upgrades to baggage handling provide consolidated security and matrix screening to serve both terminals and expedite the passenger experience as well as make efficient use of personnel and space.
Managing large amounts of data
To deliver the Delta Sky Way project with minimal impact on the airport’s operations, the team has relied on more than 15,000 drawings, site photos, videos, and panoramic images. To ensure that the team is able to access data and documentation efficiently, Arup designed and deployed a custom web-based document management system. The data is organized spatially, and team members are able to find and access any kind of project file by navigating across a plan of the existing terminal, both remotely and on site using a tablet. This has empowered the team to focus on the delivery of the project rather than the management of documents.
“The Arup team has done a tremendous job in turning this program into a reality, with a focus on collaboration and problem solving. ” Mary Loeffelholz Delta Air Lines, VP Corporate Real Estate
Accelerating the timeline
Due to a substantial reduction in traffic in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Arup, Delta and the project team were able to pivot to a dynamic approach in the phasing of construction. Understanding that there was an opportunity provided by the reduction in traffic, the project team consolidated operations into Terminal 2, instead of the original plan to keep Delta’s operation spread across both Terminals 2 and 3. The acceleration allowed work to complete 18 months ahead of schedule.
