Abide by Study Findings

In a move toward resolving the dispute over expansion of Burbank Airport, the airfield’s governing board last week agreed to launch an expensive and exhaustive federal study into establishing an overnight flight ban. The Part 161 study has long been requested by Burbank city officials who fear that a new airport terminal would attract more flights creating more noise at all hours. This newspaper also has called on the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority to begin the study as a way of breaking through the fog of rhetoric blocking construction of a larger, safer terminal.

So why does last week’s vote seem so hollow?

Even before the vote was cast Monday, Burbank officials made it clear that they would not abide by any results with which they disagreed. In other words, even if a $500,000 study by independent consultants finds no legitimate need for a rigid, enforceable curfew, Burbank would continue to flog its case in court. The reason: Burbank officials believe the airlines opposing the curfew hold too much influence with the Federal Aviation Administration, which would have to sign off on any curfew.

That may be true. The FAA often acts more like the airlines’ lap dog than the public’s watchdog. But recent pressure on the FAA from congressmen such as Howard Berman (D-Valley Village), Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), and James Rogan (R-Glendale) should counteract the pleadings of airline executives who fear severe bottom-line losses if their flight schedules are changed by a few minutes.

Burbank has a right and an obligation to ensure that a new terminal would not generate significantly more noise for residents who live around the airport. Although the airport sits almost entirely within Burbank’s boundaries, the city shares governance with Glendale and Pasadena. Those cities’ representatives on the airport authority have led the fight to build a new terminal north of the existing facility, which is too cramped during peak hours and sits too close to the runway. Burbank fears that a larger, more modern terminal would attract more air traffic, although airport projections demonstrate that the number of passengers using Burbank will continue to grow with or without a new facility. Safety and comfort dictate that it should be built.

But lawsuits and administrative intrigue have stalled the plans. The Part 161 study holds the potential to put them back on track and get a terminal built. It should settle finally whether the current voluntary flight curfew--between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.--should be formalized. However it turns out, both sides should agree to abide by its findings. That will happen only if both sides feel they share control of the process. Neither should have complete control, but both should feel in control.