Congressmen Lobby FAA Chief Over Ban

Three Los Angeles-area congressmen met with Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey on Tuesday to spell out their opposition to the Burbank Airport terminal agreement and its permanent ban on easterly takeoffs.

Reps. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills), Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) and Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) want Garvey to reject plans for a new 14-gate terminal and the easterly ban, saying it would result in more aircraft noise over Los Angeles communities south and west of the airport.

Berman said Garvey indicated such a ban may not be feasible and that residents of areas such as Studio City, North Hollywood and Sherman Oaks could expect to be full participants in a federal noise study, which could lead to a mandatory overnight flight ban.

FAA spokesman Elliott Brenner said the agency had not taken any formal positions on the Burbank Airport deal, except to insist it comply with federal law. As for the meeting, it was part of ongoing briefings on the controversy, he said.

At a meeting last week with Burbank officials, Garvey promised to try to win airline support for the deal to build a new Burbank Airport terminal if the city can ensure the plan complies with federal law.

In addition to opposition from Los Angeles residents and political leaders, the airlines have criticized provisions in the agreement that would shut the terminal between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and link terminal expansion to a mandatory 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew.

Burbank is scheduled to hold an advisory vote on the terminal plan sometime next year, city officials said.