LAX Automated People Mover Delayed Over 2 Years, May Miss World Cup

The $3.34 billion rail project to connect LAX terminals and parking is now expected to open in late 2026.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The long-awaited Automated People Mover (APM) rail system at Los Angeles International Airport has hit another delay, with officials now saying it may not open until the second half of 2026 - over two years behind the original schedule and potentially after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The $3.34 billion project was designed to whisk passengers between terminals, parking, and the Metro system, but has been bogged down by disputes between the airport and the construction consortium.

Why it matters

The APM was meant to alleviate the notorious traffic congestion and gridlock around LAX, one of the busiest airports in the US. Its delay will prolong the frustration for millions of passengers, and could impact travel plans for the 2026 World Cup, which Los Angeles is hosting games for.

The details

Construction on the 2.25-mile elevated APM rail system began in 2019, but officials now say it won't be ready until the second half of 2026, over two years behind the original schedule. The project is reportedly 95% complete, but disputes between Los Angeles World Airports and the LINXS construction consortium have held up the final stages. When finished, the electric train will travel up to 47 mph and serve 30 million passengers annually, reducing an estimated 117,000 cars from the airport area.

  • Construction on the APM project began in 2019.
  • The APM was originally scheduled to open before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Los Angeles is hosting games for in June.
  • Officials now say the APM likely won't open until the second half of 2026, after the World Cup.

The players

Los Angeles World Airports

The governing body that oversees operations at Los Angeles International Airport.

LINXS

The joint venture construction consortium working on the APM project.

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What’s next

The judge overseeing the disputes between LAX and LINXS will need to make a ruling on the project's timeline and budget before it can be completed.

The takeaway

The continued delays to the critical LAX Automated People Mover project highlight the challenges of large-scale infrastructure projects, and the impact that disputes between stakeholders can have on delivering vital transportation improvements for travelers.