The Client
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is the governing body for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). With a growing passenger base and expanding operations, LAWA needed to ensure its digital presence not only met but exceeded the demand of its users.
The Situation
LAWA sought a modern, scalable, and user-friendly digital platform. Unfortunately, its existing content management system (CMS), Sitecore, was being deprecated, leaving LAWA with an urgent need for a modern, sustainable, and high-performing platform.
The Challenge
LAWA needed a solution that would not only replicate existing functionalities but also enhance performance, security, and user experience. LAWA partnered with Hounder and Acquia to smoothly migrate their three major websites — lawa.org, flylax.com, and flyvny.com — from Sitecore to Drupal 10 on Acquia Hosting to significantly boost the user experience.
Before transitioning to Drupal on Acquia Hosting, the LAWA team faced several series of critical challenges with its digital platforms.
Frustrating User Experience
LAWA’s existing platform offered a subpar user experience. Flight information, baggage tracking, and other essential updates were buried under layers of confusing navigation, causing frustration among users.
Outdated Systems
The deprecated Sitecore CMS system was prone to malfunctions. Lack of flexibility hindered updates and required extensive technical assistance just for routine and content changes.
SEO and Mobile Issues
The lack of structured data and poor mobile optimization negatively impacted search rankings and accessibility for users on mobile devices.
Complex Database Migration
Migrating content and operations from a complex legacy system added significant technical challenges to the process.
Inefficient Content Structure
The absence of a streamlined workflow and consistent components led to inefficiencies, making content updates time-consuming and resource-intensive.
The Solution
To resolve LAWA’s challenges, Hounder developed and executed a comprehensive migration and improvement plan:
1. Seamless Migration to Drupal 10 on Acquia Hosting
Hounder transitioned LAWA’s three major websites and employee portal to Drupal 10 on Acquia Hosting. This included mapping all existing content, leveraging Drupal’s module-driven architecture, and rebuilding components to maintain integrations and functionality. A site crawl audit laid the groundwork for a smooth and efficient migration from Sitecore to Acquia Hosting.
2. Improved Content Management
Hounder enabled a component-based structure within Drupal and Acquia, dramatically simplifying workflows. LAWA’s internal teams now enjoy a drag-and-drop page builder, allowing them to update content independently without technical support.
3. Enhanced SEO and Mobile Optimization
Best practices in metadata optimization, structured data updates, and responsive design improvements were implemented. These changes boosted search visibility and modernized the platform for users across all devices.
4. Integration of Complex Functionalities
Hounder built custom APIs to integrate sophisticated features like flight status updates, baggage tracking, and real-time traffic information. These tools ensured accurate and up-to-date information for a seamless user experience.
5. Bug Tracking and Optimization
A dedicated bug-tracking system allowed for real-time issue resolution. This ensured the migration and launch phases proceeded smoothly.
6. Knowledge Transfer and Ongoing Support
Hounder trained LAWA’s internal teams to maximize the new platform’s capabilities. Additionally, ongoing support was provided to future-proof the digital infrastructure, from building new features to maintaining scalability.
The Results
The migration to Drupal 10 on Acquia Hosting strengthened LAWA’s digital ecosystem, delivering exceptional results across multiple areas:
Enhanced Stability and Reliability
- Frequent site malfunctions were eliminated, drastically improving overall system performance.
- A robust code management system reduced downtime and streamlined content updates.
Better Content Management
- Simplified workflows enabled LAWA’s internal teams to independently update and manage content.
- Reduced dependency on technical assistance for routine updates.
Boost in SEO and Mobile Performance
- Optimized metadata and responsive design elevated LAWA’s search rankings and user satisfaction on mobile platforms.
Improved User Experience
- Streamlined workflows and intuitive navigation enhanced usability for both internal teams and end-users.
- Travelers now benefit from instant access to critical tools, like flight status and baggage tracking.
Future-proof Technology
- Drupal’s flexible architecture lays a foundation for ongoing scalability, allowing LAWA to innovate and grow with ease.
- Continuous integration capabilities ensure stability for new features and updates.
By migrating to Drupal 10 on Acquia Hosting with Hounder’s expert guidance, LAWA transformed its digital platform into an efficient and future-ready system. This partnership not only addressed immediate pain points but positioned LAWA for longer-term success as a leader in digital experiences for airport operations.