Burbank Airport Curfew: What You Need To Know

The Hollywood Burbank Airport, formerly known as Bob Hope Airport, has a history of noise complaints from nearby residents. While there is no enforced curfew, commercial flights are scheduled between 7 am and 10 pm, and the airport has a strict voluntary noise abatement procedure in place to reduce aircraft noise during arrival and departure. However, residents have reported hearing planes taking off and landing outside of these hours, with some speculating that shipping companies are willing to pay the fine to avoid congestion during peak hours.

Burbank Airport noise curfew

The Hollywood Burbank Airport, formerly known as Bob Hope Airport, does not have a noise curfew in place. However, commercial flights are typically scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to reduce noise levels for nearby residents.

In the past, the city of Burbank attempted to impose a curfew on flights operating between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. However, this curfew was overturned by the United States Supreme Court in 1973. The Court ruled that airports fall under federal oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and that the curfew violated the Noise Control Act of 1972.

Despite the lack of a formal curfew, the airport has implemented a strict voluntary noise abatement procedure to minimise noise disturbances for surrounding communities. This includes guidelines for flight paths and operating procedures to reduce noise from arriving and departing aircraft.

Some residents in the area have expressed concerns about increasing flight traffic and noise levels, particularly during early morning and late-night hours. There have been reports of planes taking off and landing outside the typical commercial flight schedule, including late-night and early morning flights.

It is worth noting that certain exceptions may be made for shipping companies and delayed flights, which can result in aircraft operations outside the usual hours. Additionally, some companies may choose to pay a fine to operate during restricted hours, particularly if it helps them stay on schedule and avoid congestion.

Voluntary noise abatement procedure

The Hollywood Burbank Airport has a strict voluntary noise abatement procedure in place to reduce aircraft noise during arrival and departure. While there is no official curfew, commercial flights are scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

The airport's voluntary noise abatement procedure is a set of guidelines that pilots and airlines are expected to follow to minimise noise pollution for residents in the surrounding area. These guidelines include recommended flight paths and altitudes that help reduce noise impact on nearby communities.

The procedure also encourages pilots to use quieter operating procedures when possible, such as reducing engine power and using noise-reducing takeoff and landing configurations. Additionally, the use of specific runways for departure and arrival is strategically planned to minimise noise, with departing flights usually taking off to the south on Runway 15, and arriving flights typically landing on Runway 8, depending on wind conditions.

The airport's website likely provides detailed information on the voluntary noise abatement procedure, including maps of the preferred flight paths and any noise monitoring systems in place. The website is also a good place to start for residents who want to report noise complaints or learn about the airport's efforts to mitigate noise pollution.

While the voluntary noise abatement procedure is not a legally enforced curfew, it demonstrates the airport's commitment to balancing the needs of its operations with the well-being of the surrounding communities. By encouraging pilots and airlines to follow these guidelines, the airport can reduce noise pollution, especially during sensitive early morning and late evening hours.

Commercial flight scheduling

While there is no enforced curfew, the airport has a strict voluntary noise abatement procedure in place to minimise noise disruption for nearby residents. This voluntary curfew, however, does not seem to be consistently followed, as residents have reported hearing planes taking off and landing outside of these hours. Some attribute this to shipping companies that operate during off-peak hours to avoid congestion and are willing to pay the fine for violating the voluntary curfew. Delayed flights also contribute to this issue, as they are exempt from the curfew and can arrive or depart at any time.

The airport's proximity to popular attractions and its direct rail connection to Downtown Los Angeles make it a convenient option for travellers. Nonstop flights primarily serve cities in the western United States, with some airlines offering routes to other parts of the country, such as Delta Air Lines' regular flights to Atlanta.

The scheduling of commercial flights at Hollywood Burbank Airport aims to balance the needs of travellers and the comfort of nearby residents. While most flights operate within the designated hours, there are instances where flights operate outside this timeframe, leading to noise concerns for the surrounding community.

UPS and FedEx exceptions

The Valley-Wide Noise Relief Act, which would give Bob Hope and Van Nuys airports the authority to prohibit flights after 10 pm and before 7 am, would affect UPS and FedEx carriers. Both companies rely on early-morning arrivals, with FedEx landing two flights each weekday, one at approximately 4:15 am and another at 5:40 am. UPS flies two planes into Burbank daily during the week, one at 4:30 am, which would be affected by a curfew, and the other at 4:30 pm, which would not.

However, it is worth noting that UPS and FedEx are given an exception to the curfew. While they fly in before the curfew, they do not usually take off until after 7 am. This exception is crucial for UPS and FedEx to maintain their operations and deliver thousands of packages daily.

UPS spokesman Mike Mangeot emphasised the importance of the early-morning flight for the Burbank community, stating that it offers a valuable service and conveys packages that people depend on for their quality of life, economic well-being, and health. Similarly, FedEx spokesman Scott Fiedler affirmed that the company would comply with any new curfew laws without specifying if they would consider leaving the airport.

The discussion around the Valley-Wide Noise Relief Act highlights the challenges of balancing noise reduction for residents near Burbank Airport and the operational needs of cargo carriers like UPS and FedEx.

Curfew enforcement

The Hollywood Burbank Airport, formerly known as Bob Hope Airport, does have a curfew in place, but it is a voluntary one. The airport has a strict voluntary noise abatement procedure to reduce aircraft noise during arrival and departure. Commercial flights are scheduled between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm.

However, residents in the area have reported hearing planes taking off and landing outside of these hours, with some flights occurring between 1:30 am and 6:00-6:30 am. This has led to concerns and complaints about noise disruptions, particularly as the airport is located close to residential areas.

There are several factors that could contribute to these disruptions. Firstly, delayed flights that are behind schedule may need to take off or land outside of the designated hours. Additionally, shipping companies and cargo flights might choose to pay a fine rather than adhere to the curfew to maintain their schedules and avoid congestion.

While the curfew is voluntary, there have been discussions and debates among the Airport Authority, the city of Burbank, the Transportation Security Administration, and Burbank residents about ways to address noise issues and find solutions that balance operational needs with the well-being of the local community.

Frequently asked questions