Los Angeles World Airports

What Los Angeles World Airports does

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is a department of the City of Los Angeles, established in 1928, that owns and operates Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). LAX is one of the world's busiest airports, serving approximately 75 million annual travelers and handling 556,913 aircraft movements and 2,754,570 tons of cargo (2022). LAX ranks No. 3 by value and No. 5 by tonnage among U.S. airports for trade, with $153.13 billion in trade value in 2022, and Van Nuys serves as a major general aviation hub that becomes one of the world's busiest business aviation centers during events like the Oscars. The organization employs 1,001-5,000 people and supports an estimated 620,600 regional jobs in Southern California.

LAWA's technology and infrastructure portfolio centers on a $30 billion modernization program ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Key infrastructure assets include a 2.25-mile fully electric Automated People Mover (APM) with six stations ($5.5 billion, testing began April 2026), a 6.4 million sq ft Consolidated Rental Car Center consolidating 12 on-airport rental car companies ($2.8 billion, opened March 2026), the Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) South built using first-of-its-kind large-scale modular construction in a U.S. airport (150,000 sq ft, 8 aircraft gates), and a major digital display upgrade at Tom Bradley International Terminal featuring 15,000+ sq ft of LED canvas. The organization also operates Airport Police services, the iCARE customer service training program, and Business Inclusivity programs for workforce development.

LAWA's revenue model combines recurring and transaction-based streams: airline landing fees and terminal rents (subscription/recurring), ground transportation access fees (transaction — $12 per rideshare trip to central terminal, $6 to Ground Transport Center, first adjustment in over a decade), rental car facility fees (transaction), and cargo operations (transaction). Disclosed total operating revenue is $1,965,000,000 USD. Customer segments include 75 million annual airline passengers, 12 consolidated rental car companies, rideshare/taxi/limousine operators, business aviation users via FBOs at Van Nuys (Signature Aviation, Clay Lacy Aviation), and cargo carriers led by Federal Express at 11.75% of total airfreight. LAWA is governed by the Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) under City of Los Angeles oversight, with Justin Erbacci serving as CEO.

Name

Los Angeles World Airports

Legal name

Los Angeles World Airports

Website

https://lawa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is a City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates LAX (75 million annual passengers) and Van Nuys Airport, generating approximately $1.97 billion in revenue through airline fees, ground transportation charges, rental car facility fees, and cargo operations while executing a $30 billion modernization program ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations and Aviation Infrastructure

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Ground Support & Trip Services (Dispatch, Permits, Handling) (THABAFAK)

Keywords

• Airport operations
• Aviation infrastructure
• Air cargo handling
• Ground transportation services
• Commercial aviation management

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ground Transportation Fees: Ground transportation access fees charged to rideshare companies (Uber, Lyft), taxis, and limousines. Central terminal access fees of $12 per ride and $6 for Ground Transport Center pickups/drop-offs.
2. Rental Car Facility Fees: Fees from 12 on-airport rental car companies consolidated in the new Rental Car Center facility.
3. Cargo Operations: Air cargo operations with freight and mail handling. In 2022, cargo volumes totaled 2,754,570 tons. Federal Express dominated freight cargo at 11.75% of total.
4. Airline Landing Fees and Terminal Rents: Landing fees and terminal rents charged to airlines operating at LAX and Van Nuys airports.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is a City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Its core offering is airport management and infrastructure services, including terminal operations, aircraft landing facilities, air cargo handling, ground transportation access, and rental car facility operations. LAWA is currently executing a $30 billion capital improvement program that includes the Automated People Mover, Midfield Satellite Concourse, Consolidated Rental Car Center, and Terminal 5 reconstruction.

Product overview

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) operates LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) and Van Nuys Airport. LAWA functions as an airport management authority rather than a software product company. Its core offerings are airport operations and infrastructure services. The primary infrastructure portfolio includes the Automated People Mover (2.25-mile electric train system), Midfield Satellite Concourse South (modular construction terminal), Consolidated Rental Car Center (6.4 million sq ft facility), and ongoing Terminal 5 reconstruction—all part of a $30 billion modernization program. Supporting services include LAX Air Cargo operations, Airport Police Services, and the iCARE customer service training program. The organization also administers Business Inclusivity Programs for workforce and contractor development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
• Automated People Mover
• Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) South
• Consolidated Rental Car Center
• Tom Bradley International Terminal Digital Display System
• LAX Air Cargo Operations
• LAWA Airport Police Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced construction schedule by approximately 6 months using modular construction methods for MSC South
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DaktronicscoreTechnology or Integration · 8 April 2026Los Angeles World Airports selected Daktronics to upgrade the digital display system at LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal. The project features seven LED media walls across more than 30 displays totaling over 15,000 square feet of digital canvas with 300+ million pixels, being installed throughout 2026 with completion expected in 2027.
• Los Angeles Air Cargo Association (LAACA)coreOthers
• ACI-NA Air Cargo CommitteecoreOthers
• Signature Aviation and Clay Lacy AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThese FBOs at Van Nuys Airport coordinate ground handling, parking slots, and security protocols for private jet operators during major events like Oscars weekend when the airport transforms into one of the world's busiest business aviation hubs.
• Los Angeles Regional Export Council (LARExC)minorOthersEstablished to facilitate collaboration and coordination among greater Los Angeles and five-county region's international trade institutions, government agencies, economic development offices, and service providers to promote broad-based and inclusive economic growth and job creation.
• District Export Council of Southern California (DECSC)minorOthersAssists local small and medium-sized companies export their products and services worldwide by sponsoring export-related events and workshops. LAWA supports DECSC efforts through participation and sponsorship of their events.
• Women in Trade - Los Angeles (WIT-LA)minorOthersProvides professional and personal enrichment for women and men in international trade in the Los Angeles area through educational programming and networking opportunities. LAWA supports WIT-LA through sponsorships and participation in their events.
• Women in Trade - Orange County (WIT-OC)minorOthersServes the Southern California trade community as an educational resource providing members and their guests with opportunities to learn about current international trade issues. LAWA supports WIT-OC through sponsorships and participation in their events.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: Bilateral state authority operating JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Stewart airports. Most direct functional peer to LAWA — operates a multi-airport system with comparable scale, $30B+ capital programs, and similar role as a major US gateway. Both manage diverse revenue streams from landing fees, terminal rents, retail, and ground transportation.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Operated by the City of Atlanta's Department of Aviation. World's busiest airport by passenger traffic with comparable scale, capital programs (ATLNext modernization), and revenue base. Strong comparability on operations and infrastructure delivery.
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport: Operated by DFW Airport Board (joint municipal entity). Major US hub airport with comparable scale (~75M+ passengers), significant cargo operations, and substantial capital programs. Comparable governance complexity and revenue diversification.
• Denver International Airport: Operated by the City and County of Denver. Major US hub airport with comparable capex scale (Great Hall renovation, gate expansion), large land footprint, and diversified revenue model. Comparable in capital intensity and modernization trajectory.

Direct peers

• Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority: Independent authority operating Washington Dulles and Reagan National airports. Directly comparable multi-airport operator with similar governance structure, capital improvement programs, and mix of international gateway (Dulles) and domestic business aviation demand. Comparable headcount scale and revenue profile.
• Chicago Department of Aviation: Municipal department operating O'Hare and Midway airports. Peer operator of two airports serving a major US metropolitan area, with comparable capital program scale (O'Hare modernization) and similar mix of commercial hub and business/cargo operations.
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Operated by the City and County of San Francisco. Directly comparable Pacific coast gateway with similar Asia-Pacific trade exposure, comparable passenger volumes, and ongoing capital improvement programs. Key regional competitor for trans-Pacific traffic.
• Houston Airport System: Operated by the City of Houston, managing George Bush Intercontinental, William P. Hobby, and Ellington airports. Directly comparable multi-airport municipal operator with comparable passenger volumes, cargo operations, and ongoing capital programs (terminal redevelopment at IAH).

Regional players

• Greater Orlando Aviation Authority: Independent authority operating Orlando International and Executive airports. Comparable mid-sized multi-airport operator with significant capital program (Terminal C expansion), strong tourism passenger base, and similar governance structure to LAWA.
• Massachusetts Port Authority: Independent authority operating Boston Logan International Airport along with seaport and bridge assets. Comparable multi-modal public authority structure with Logan serving as a major international gateway, similar capital program intensity, and multi-stakeholder governance model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flylaxairport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LAXairport1
• Facebookfacebook.com/ontairport
• Instagraminstagram.com/flyLAXairport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/los-angeles-world-airports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles World Airports