Contractor files lawsuit over ongoing LAX airport disagreement

LAX SkyLink hits a legal delay

SkyLink, formerly known as the LAX Automated People Mover, is facing a new legal dispute after contractor LINXS filed a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles in early July 2026. The project was already years behind schedule, and as of July 14, 2026, officials had not announced a firm passenger-service date.

The 2.25-mile electric train is intended to provide traffic-independent connections among LAX terminals, parking and pickup areas, the Rental Car Center, and the LAX/Metro Transit Center.

Inside the LAX SkyLink project

SkyLink is a centerpiece of LAX’s landside transportation modernization and forms part of the airport’s broader $30 billion Capital Improvement Program. The system has a 2.25-mile elevated guideway and six stations.

Three stations are located inside the Central Terminal Area. The other three serve Economy Parking and the Ground Transportation Center, the LAX/Metro Transit Center, and the LAX Rental Car Center. LAWA estimates that approximately 30 million passengers will use SkyLink annually.

Why LAX SkyLink matters now?

SkyLink is designed to give travelers and airport employees an alternative to driving or using shuttle buses around LAX. The train will connect the terminals with the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where passengers can transfer to Metro’s C and K lines and several bus routes.

LAWA says the SkyLink trip from the Rental Car Center to the western terminal station will take approximately 10 minutes, regardless of roadway congestion.

A billion dollar airport transformation

SkyLink is now described as a roughly $3.3 billion train project within LAX’s $30 billion Capital Improvement Program. This figure is different from the $4.9 billion contract approved in 2018, which covered design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance over several decades.

LAWA estimates that SkyLink will carry approximately 30 million passengers annually and eliminate more than 42 million vehicle miles traveled each year.

Contractor files lawsuit over delays

LAX Integrated Express Solutions, known as LINXS, filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles World Airports over disagreements involving the project. The contractor says delays and other issues affected progress.

LINXS stated that it tried to resolve problems before taking legal action. The company also said it remains committed to completing the SkyLink system.

Airport leaders focus on completion

Los Angeles World Airports said finishing SkyLink remains the priority while officials review the lawsuit. The agency said it wants a safe and reliable system for future passengers.

Airport leaders continue working toward passenger service availability. They believe completing the train will be an important step in improving the LAX experience.

Little-known fact: Los Angeles World Airports estimates that SkyLink could help remove more than 42 million vehicle miles traveled each year by giving passengers and employees a rail option.

SkyLink has missed several opening targets

When the contract was approved in April 2018, LAWA said the system would be operational in 2023. The target was later moved to the first half of 2024 and then to January 2026.

Passengerless testing began in April 2026. LINXS subsequently projected that service would not start before early October 2026, but as of July 14, 2026, LAWA had not announced a firm passenger-opening date.

Designed to reduce terminal-area vehicle traffic

Anyone who has visited LAX knows traffic can be challenging, especially around the central terminal area. SkyLink was created to provide another way to move around the airport.

The train could help reduce the number of vehicles near terminals by giving travelers a convenient transportation choice. Officials hope this improves daily airport operations.

Little-known fact: The LAX SkyLink system is planned as a fully electric automated train with six stations connecting airport terminals, parking facilities, rental car services, and the Metro connection.

A power issue added pressure

LINXS pointed to several events that affected construction progress, including a power outage in 2025. The contractor said the outage created a significant delay for the project.

The lawsuit claims that responsibility for the issue involved other parties connected to the airport system. Because the matter is in court, officials have limited comments.

Roadway-drawing changes are part of the dispute

LINXS alleges that LAWA changed roadway drawings and attempted to classify parts of the contractor’s work as complete so that other airport contractors could enter those areas. LINXS claims those actions altered or obstructed its work.

LAWA said it was reviewing the lawsuit and declined to comment in detail on pending litigation. The allegations have not yet been decided by a court.

Preparing for future visitors

Los Angeles is scheduled to host the Olympic Games from July 14 through July 30, 2028, followed by the Paralympic Games. LAWA says completing SkyLink is important to improving the passenger experience and preparing the airport for future international visitors.

SkyLink will not travel across Los Angeles, but it will connect LAX terminals with the Metro transit system, municipal buses, parking, pickup areas, and the Rental Car Center.

What happens next for SkyLink?

LAWA and LINXS both say they remain committed to completing the system. Testing, systems integration, safety verification, and reliability demonstrations must be completed before passenger service can begin.

LAWA has not announced a firm opening date. The new lawsuit will proceed separately unless the parties reach an agreement or settlement.

Curious how LAX is changing the way travelers get around? See updates on the airport’s record-setting rideshare fees and what they mean for passengers.

A new future for airport travel

SkyLink is designed to become LAX’s main internal landside rail connection. When it opens, the free, fully electric system is expected to operate 24 hours a day, with trains arriving every two minutes during peak hours.

The train will connect grouped terminal stations with Economy Parking, pickup and drop-off facilities, the LAX/Metro Transit Center, and the Rental Car Center. LAWA has not announced a firm passenger-service date.

Want to see how other airport disruptions are affecting travelers? Check out the latest updates on delays and cancellations at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

What do you think about LAX’s new SkyLink train plans? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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