After years of delay and blown launch targets, LAX’s long-promised Skylink (formerly the Automated People Mover) has a new estimated opening date.
The elevated train is now being positioned for passenger service availability (PSA) in October 2026, according to a report shared by the L.A. Times. The shift disappoints travelers hoping to ride it during the busy summer season, and misses the World Cup by a mile. But it’s still on track for the next round of major events like the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Opening date pushed to October
In the June 15 report to Los Angeles World Airports, airport authority LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS) warned that Skylink passenger service will not begin until at least October 6th due to airport landscaping, approval bottlenecks, and conflicts with other ongoing projects.
SkyLink began full-scale testing in April and must complete 30 consecutive days of flawless operations, followed by additional safety checks and permitting, before it can carry paying passengers.
The new October target is sure to test passenger patience. Construction on the $3.34‑billion SkyLink project first began in 2019 with a 2023 completion goal, then was reset to December 2025 for construction and January 2026 for opening, before sliding into the “second half of 2026.” Airport leaders still publicly insist the train will be running by the end of this year.
What is Skylink?
Skylink is a fully electric train system with cars made from 98% recyclable materials, operating with partial solar power on an elevated rail.
The trains will run 24/7 between six stations: three in the terminal area, one at LAX Economy Parking, one at the LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility, and, of course, the new LAX/Metro Transit Center.
The project is being delivered as a public-private partnership under LAX’s multi-billion-dollar Landside Access Modernization Program, which is providing upgrades and remodels all over the airport. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is the public owner, while LINXS (a consortium of multiple contractor groups) was contracted to design and build the rail system.
A series of tensions and dispute settlements between the two groups, as well as cost and schedule problems, and political pressure to open before major events like the FIFA World Cup, have pushed the project over budget and over the expected timeline.
When it does eventually open, SkyLink should reshape one of the most frustrating parts of flying through LAX: getting between terminals, parking, rental cars, and public transit. The train’s 2.25-mile route is designed to replace much of the slow, traffic-laden shuttle-bus experience with a frequent, automated connection to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where travelers can transfer to Metro’s K Line and C Line. For now, though, Angelenos planning airport pickups, drop-offs, or holiday travel should continue to budget extra time—the long-awaited rail link is close, but October is still only an estimated target.
