Each airport is extremely important for the development of any city. This is not only a convenient infrastructure facility for the public, but it is also beneficial for business development. Today we will talk about the history of the Los Angeles International Airport. Find out more information at i-los-angeles.com.
Foundation history
The history of Los Angeles International Airport began in 1928 when the city authorities allocated land for its construction. A total of 640 acres of land were allotted in the southern part of Westchester. The first building was constructed a year later, in 1929.
Los Angeles International Airport first opened its doors in 1930 and became international in 1949. With every year, this critical infrastructure facility began to actively expand and develop. In 1953, a tunnel was built on airport property to allow Sepulveda Boulevard to pass beneath two runways. Each day, the number of flights grew.
In 1959, a historic event occurred when American Airlines 707-123 planes flew the first passengers from Los Angeles to New York.
Active development of the airport
In 1958, the airport in Los Angeles began a conversion. The architects decided to develop more terminals and parking structures. New terminals began to emerge in 1961, and already in 1964, the airport had international flights.
It should be mentioned that in the 1960s and 1970s airlines began to deploy jet airliners. However, there were private houses near the airfield. People complained about the noise, so they were evacuated, and houses were razed to the ground with a bulldozer.
In 1981, due to the city’s organization of the Olympic Games (1984), the Los Angeles airport started to expand. The renovation cost around 700 million dollars, but it made life considerably easier for city residents who used air transportation. The construction of two terminals and multi-story parking lots had a positive impact on the reputation of the metropolis and the comfort of city guests.
However, not everyone was pleased with the developments that took place on airport grounds. They sought to renovate the airfield again in the early 1990s, but the residents who lived nearby began protesting. People complained about the noise, dirt and frequent traffic. It is obvious that living near a major airport is inconvenient.
There were moments when the Los Angeles International Airport did not function at all. This first occurred in April 1992, when protests and riots erupted in the metropolis. In 1994, there was another temporary closure owing to an earthquake warning. In 1996, an earthquake occurred, causing damage of more than 29 million dollars.
Modern period
In the early 2000s, the airfield began to be updated, improved and furnished. After all, time does not stand still, and everything must be updated and repaired on a regular basis.
Los Angeles International Airport serves as a hub airport for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, as well as a focus city for Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin America and Volaris. Furthermore, it is the only airport in the United States of America that serves three aviation companies: American, Delta and United.
Los Angeles International Airport is a massive infrastructure complex that serves tens of millions of passengers every year. Given the significance of the airfield to the growth of the city, there are constant reconstructions on the territory. We hope that our information was useful to you and that you learned more about your hometown.
Have you used the services of Los Angeles International Airport? We look forward to hearing from you on social media.