Los Angeles International Airport’s long-delayed $3.3 billion Skylink system, formerly known as the Automated People Mover, is expected to launch passenger service in early January, though that date could be pushed back, according to media reports.
LAX is in the midst of a mammoth construction boom in preparation for the 2028 Olympics. In 2018, Los Angeles officials planned an ambitious slate of 28 bus and rail projects to transform public transit. Some were scrapped but others moved forward, including the extension of a subway line to connect downtown Los Angeles with UCLA, the planned home of the Olympic Village, and the much ballyhooed Skylink system.
In a Sept. 16 disclosure filing by the contractor LAX Integrated Express Solutions, or LINXS, completion of the 2.25-mile automated train is set for Dec. 8, the Los Angeles Times reported. However, the train will have to go through 30 days of testing, receive an independent overview and an assessment by Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that oversees LAX and the Van Nuys Airport.
Construction continues at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. LAX moved up a spot to 14th on the list of mega-sized airports, defined as those handling 33 million or more passengers per year.(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Construction continues at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. LAX moved up a spot to 14th on the list of mega-sized airports, defined as those handling 33 million or more passengers per year.(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Construction continues at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. LAX moved up a spot to 14th on the list of mega-sized airports, defined as those handling 33 million or more passengers per year. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Construction continues at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. LAX moved up a spot to 14th on the list of mega-sized airports, defined as those handling 33 million or more passengers per year.(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Construction continues at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. LAX moved up a spot to 14th on the list of mega-sized airports, defined as those handling 33 million or more passengers per year.(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Construction continues at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. LAX moved up a spot to 14th on the list of mega-sized airports, defined as those handling 33 million or more passengers per year.(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Construction continues at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. LAX moved up a spot to 14th on the list of mega-sized airports, defined as those handling 33 million or more passengers per year.(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Construction continues at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. LAX moved up a spot to 14th on the list of mega-sized airports, defined as those handling 33 million or more passengers per year.(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Construction continues at LAX in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. LAX moved up a spot to 14th on the list of mega-sized airports, defined as those handling 33 million or more passengers per year.(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
A utility agreement with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power also needs to be formed and finalized.
The filing noted that there are “no assurances” that the opening date will not be further delayed.
Skylink started running without passengers in April. It was initially targeted to be operational before fans arrived for the World Cup games at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium in June and July, but fell short of that goal.
LAWA has said it will not open the train without testing and ensuring that safety standards are met. The system is expected to circulate through the airport’s central terminal area, linking terminals with parking facilities, the Metro train/bus station and pick-up and drop-off zones.
“Rigorous, exhaustive testing of all tracks, signaling systems and vehicles is the standard industry practice for major automated airport transit infrastructure to guarantee seamless long-term system integration,” LAWA officials said. “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.”
LINXS is a private-public partnership that consists of companies Fluor, Balfour, Beatty, ACS Infrastructure Development, Dragados USA, HNTM and others. LAWA partnered with LINXS to begin construction on the project in 2019, with an original target debut of 2023. The project has since been delayed multiple times due to technical challenges and disputes between LAWA and the contractor.
Bondholders for the project agreed to consolidate an Oct. 8 deadline to Dec. 8, and if LINXS fails to adhere to it, LAWA could dump the contractor. LINXS said in its filing that they believe additional time would be granted beyond the December deadline to work on the project if claims with LAWA are resolved, The Times reported.
Fitch Rating downgraded the Automated People Mover’s bonds to its negative watch list in the summer, a warning that the project could be at risk of default.
The legal disputes have resulted in significant financial claims and contributed to delays in testing timelines. LAX officials previously said they remain hopeful outstanding issues can be resolved without further postponements. The project is 99% completed.
In July, LINXS sued the city and blamed LAWA for the delays. A grand jury report later faulted the contractor for the issues.
Earlier this month, LAX ranked 14th among mega-sized airports, according to an annual survey by JD Power of North America. That’s an improvement of one spot over last year. LAX’s category in the high-profile survey is defined as those with 33 million or more passengers per year.
City News Service contributed to this report