Los Angeles airport begins remodeling Terminal 1

Published September 17, 2014 12:40am ET



LOS ANGELES (AP) — Major renovations are underway in the busiest terminal at Los Angeles International airport.

Passengers moving through Terminal 1, dominated by Southwest Airlines, will see major changes including a new security checkpoint and new restaurants and shops.

Airport and city officials gathered Tuesday for an official groundbreaking on the $508 million project, though work actually began earlier this month. It is expected to last into 2018.

Terminal 1 was the busiest at LAX in 2013, with nearly 9.7 million passengers.

Most terminals at the nation’s third busiest airport are getting a major face lift, and airport officials promise they will try to minimize the inevitable travel disruptions.