Council Gets Tough on Bid to Expand Burbank Airport

Taking its toughest stance yet against plans for a new, larger terminal, the Burbank City Council has moved to block the long-sought expansion of Burbank Airport until federal officials impose a mandatory curfew on all flights, giving nearby residents relief from jet noise.

The airport has a voluntary curfew on commercial flights departing Burbank from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. that is regularly ignored by two airlines, Southwest and United.

Upping the stakes on the two most controversial aspects of airport operations, four of the council’s five members directed the city’s three airport commissioners to veto any efforts to finance a new terminal--and take any other actions needed to stop the project--until a mandatory curfew takes effect.

“What you witnessed is the citizens of Burbank taking back control of the future of the airport,” said new Councilman Bob Kramer.

Airport officials have pressed for years to build a new terminal that meets federal safety regulations and accommodates a sharp surge in air travelers who choose Burbank as an alternative to Los Angeles International and other airports.

In 1994, 4.8 million passengers used Burbank Airport, which averages 180 commercial flights a day. Annual passenger levels are projected to reach 5.4 million in 1998 and 10 million in 2010.

Without the new, larger terminal, airport spokesman Victor Gill warned Friday that the facility will grow more crowded during peak hours of operation, and may prompt airlines to schedule flights around the clock as a way to cope with consumer demand.