Parking Fees Rise at Burbank Airport Again

Seeking funds to help pay for a controversial new terminal, Burbank Airport, which already charges more for parking than any other airport in Southern California, has raised rates again.

As of this week, travelers must pay $10 a day for long-term parking, up $1, and double the lowest long-term parking rate at Los Angeles International Airport.

Steve Jankauskas, 28, a specialty food marketer, noticed the yellow sign announcing the price increase Tuesday as he pulled his pickup into Lot B on his way to a business meeting.

“I thought, ‘This kind of stinks,’ ” Jankauskas said. “It’s pretty high for what you get. I had to wait for the tram . . . and where is the security? Is anyone watching these cars?’

It is the second time in a year that Burbank Airport has boosted parking fees, which account for about 46% of total airport revenues.

Last fall, it was still possible to pay $8 a day at the economy lots, a price more in line with those at other airports in the region.

Los Angeles International charges $5 or $7 for long-term parking, John Wayne Airport in Orange County charges $7 a day, and Ontario International Airport charges $5 a day.

Short-term parking at Burbank Airport is still $24 a day, also a steeper rate than other airports. Short-term parking costs $16 a day at LAX, $11 a day at John Wayne, and $10 a day at Ontario.

“We are sensitive to the fact that by raising fees we could hurt ourselves, but we have to cover the cost of doing business,” said airport spokesman Sean McCarthy.

He said those costs include the airport’s plan to build a new 19-gate terminal with the potential to expand to 27 gates.

Projected costs of the terminal have risen as the airport has become embroiled in a host of lawsuits.

In particular, the city of Burbank has demanded that the expansion plans be scaled back because of concerns over noise and traffic. Also, Lockheed Martin, which will provide the property for the terminal, is fighting to get a higher price.

The higher parking rate includes the controversial 10% parking tax imposed by the city of Burbank last year, McCarthy said.

Airport users were supposed to bear the cost all along, said Burbank City Manager Bud Ovrom.

“The notion is that some users pass through the town and contribute to air pollution and congestion but don’t contribute to the tax base,” Ovrom said.

Other cities, including Los Angeles and Ontario, have similar parking taxes.

Los Angeles’ 10% city parking tax is a lucrative revenue source, contributing about $47 million a year to city coffers, said Jeff Druyun, legislative analyst for the city.

LAX manages to keep parking rates low despite the tax in part because its land costs are lower, McCarthy said. “We don’t believe our [rate] is too high.”

But Jankauskas, the food marketer, said many business travelers will balk at paying $70 for parking while taking a weeklong trip.

“I like to save even if it’s the company’s money,” he said.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Airport Parking Costs

A $1 increase in long-term rates keeps parking at Burbank the most expensive of any Los Angeles-area airport. Here’s a comparison of daily rates:

*--*

Short-term Long-term Burbank $24 $10 John Wayne $11 $7 LAX $16 $5-$7 Ontario $10 $5

*--*