FAA Chief to Get Involved in Burbank Airport Issue

After a five-month wait, federal officials announced Friday that the head of the Federal Aviation Administration will make a special trip to the San Fernando Valley on Aug. 11 in an effort to settle the long-running battle over growth at Burbank airport.

Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Mission Hills) told members of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. that FAA chief Jane Garvey would meet with local political leaders, residents, business owners and the Burbank Airport Authority next month to discuss construction of a new 19-gate terminal.

“All she is going to do is hear from the parties and interests,” Berman said after an aviation summit in Universal City. “Unless there is follow-up with a process to deal with the issues that keep this project from getting off the dime, her visit will mean nothing.”

Area economic experts--including Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.; Jack Driscoll, general manager of L.A.’s Department of Airports, and Mark Pisano, executive director of the Southern California Assn. of Governments--also addressed the group, speaking on airports and the challenges posed by population growth.

“People are going to have to back away and be more thoughtful,” Kyser said of anti-growth forces. “These aren’t just airports, they are part of industry.”

Burbank Airport adds an estimated $5 billion to the Valley economy and an additional 40,000 to 50,000 jobs, according to Pisano. He added that impact would increase as the projected number of passengers grows from an estimated 4.7 million in 1998 to more than 2 million in 2020.

Still, Berman and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) insisted the noise issue in communities surrounding the airport could not be ignored.

Burbank city leaders have complained that an expanded airport terminal would bring high levels of noise, insisting on a 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew and caps on flights. Airport officials have countered that terminal size should be driven by passenger demand.

“I would not deny for a moment the crucial economic impact . . . from this airport operating in conjunction with Los Angeles International Airport and other regional airports,” said Burbank Councilman Ted McConkey, who was on hand but not invited to speak. “Build it with our blessing . . . but give us protection.”