The Airport used to have delegated powers where planning permission was not required for certain minor developments etc. Can't remember what the technical term is now and not sure whether it still applies? For example tenants wanting to put up signs had to get permission from the Airport Company, not the local planning authority.
I'm surprised that more stands are to be used for car parking, especially as LAX says, there have been many stands in use over the winter with aircraft parked up. And even when the aircraft are working in the summer, there are a lot of aircraft in overnight.
But we don't have all the information, so I'm sure there is logic to this. It's something where the apron can revert to it's proper use relatively quickly in a matter of a few weeks or months I expect.
Either they are expecting a higher demand for parking, or is it that some of the existing spaces are being lost, maybe due to the airport city construction starting? Anyone know?