L.A. is in the middle of a full-on transportation glow-up, with major rail and infrastructure projects reshaping how people move across the city. And now, one of the most anticipated upgrades is finally entering a key phase.
LAX’s Automated People Mover (APM), SkyLink, has just begun running trains along its elevated tracks. This marks the first time travelers will actually see the trains in motion across the airport.
Over the next 60 days, the system will operate empty trains on the exact schedule planned for public use. Trains will loop continuously along the guideway, giving engineers and operators a chance to stress-test everything from timing to reliability.
To move forward, the system must complete a critical milestone: running continuously for 30 days without any operational issues. That means no breakdowns, no door malfunctions, and no disruptions. Even minor glitches can reset the clock, so this phase is all about proving the system can handle real-world conditions at full capacity.
Once that benchmark is cleared, testing will expand to include station systems like elevators and platform access, followed by trial runs with volunteers to simulate the passenger experience. While there isn’t an official opening date announced, recent reports point to late 2026.
About the Automated People Mover
Construction on the Automated People Mover first broke ground in 2019 as part of a broader effort to modernize LAX and reduce congestion. The $5.5 billion project is designed to connect airport terminals with parking facilities, rental car hubs, and transit stations outside the airport loop.
The fully electric system will span 2.25 miles and is expected to significantly ease traffic along LAX’s notoriously congested horseshoe roadway. Once operational, it’s projected to serve millions of travelers each year.
