November passenger numbers soar at Hollywood Burbank Airport
November proved to be one of Hollywood Burbank Airport’s best performing months in 2017 after officials reported an 18.5% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same month a year prior.
Denis Carvill, deputy executive director of engineering, maintenance, operations and airline relations at the airfield, told airport authority members during a special meeting on Tuesday there were 444,800 passengers who traveled through the terminals in November, which was a boost of 69,368 more passengers than in 2016.
The airport’s November figures are currently the highest for Hollywood Burbank in 2017, topping its numbers from October, when officials reported 435,283 passengers.
Southwest Airlines, the largest airline operating at Hollywood Burbank, tallied 333,641 passengers in November, which was 43,563 more than the previous year. Alaska Airlines also had significant growth, reporting 48,556 passengers, an uptick of 15,111 passengers from 2016.
United Airlines reported 32,199 passengers during November, a jump of 9,632 more passengers than the year before. Delta Airlines also had a positive month, with 11,611 passengers, which was 2,939 more than the year prior.
JetBlue Airways had relatively flat numbers in November, reporting 7,919 passengers, which was 443 more than in 2016.
Mokulele Airlines, the newest airline operating at Hollywood Burbank, reported having 186 passengers in November and 147 passengers in October. Service for the carrier, which offers flights to Santa Maria Public Airport, started in October.
American Airlines continued to see its numbers drop at Hollywood Burbank, reporting 10,688 passengers in November, a drop of 2,506 passengers compared to the same month in 2016. Carvill said the airline has been focusing on its operations at Los Angeles International Airport.
Carvill also updated commissioners about how neighboring regional airports have been faring. LAX reported 6,785,973 passengers in November, which was 289,855 more passengers compared to the year before.
Due to having a cap on passengers, John Wayne Airport reported 892,995 travelers in November, just 8,387 more than in 2016.
Long Beach Airport is experiencing similar growth as Hollywood Burbank, reporting 321,152 passengers in November, which was 61,347 more than the previous year. Ontario International Airport also saw improvement, reporting 410,052 passengers, a hike of 32,115 more passengers than in 2016.
Parking revenue at Hollywood Burbank still remains flat. Carvill said the airport made $1.71 million in November, which was about $70,000 more than the previous year.
However, Mike Duong, the airport’s senior manager of business and compliance, said the airfield received $236,775 from ride-sharing companies in November. There were 41,382 drop-offs and 37,543 pick-ups during the month.
John Hatanaka, senior deputy executive director at Hollywood Burbank, said staff members are working on a report that will identify whether the prevalent use of ride-sharing services by passengers is a positive for the airport. The report is scheduled to be discussed during a meeting in March.
anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com
Twitter: @acocarpio
