Burbank Airport's Size: A Comprehensive Overview

Hollywood Burbank Airport, located 3 miles northwest of downtown Burbank in Los Angeles County, California, is a medium-hub primary commercial service facility. The airport has been serving Burbank, Hollywood, and the northern Greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley. With its small size and proximity to Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles, the airport has a devoted following among Southern California flyers. The airport is currently undergoing a transformation with a new terminal being constructed, which is expected to be completed by October 2026. The new terminal will be larger at 355,000 square feet, offering improved passenger facilities, including more seating areas, baggage claims, and shopping and dining options.

The airport's size and location

Hollywood Burbank Airport is a medium-sized airport located three miles (4.8 km) northwest of downtown Burbank, in Los Angeles County, California. The airport is easily accessible, situated close to both Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles, and is the only airport in the area with a direct rail connection to Downtown Los Angeles. It is also conveniently near many popular attractions, such as Griffith Park and Universal Studios Hollywood.

The airport is owned by the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority and is controlled by the governments of those cities. It has its own police and fire departments, the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority Police, and shares police helicopters based out of the airport on its northeast end. The airport has two runways, with the current terminal located in the airport's southeastern corner.

The existing terminal building covers 232,000 square feet, but a new terminal is under construction, which will expand the airport to 355,000 square feet. The new terminal will offer improved facilities for passengers, including more seating areas, additional restaurants and concessions, enhanced security screening, and more restrooms. It will also provide expanded space for passenger processing and baggage claims, as well as shopping and dining options.

The airport has been undergoing various upgrades and improvements. In 2014, a $112 million Regional Transportation Center opened, spanning 520,000 square feet. This center was designed to withstand major earthquakes and features a unique industrial design with a red steel roof and art panels. Additionally, solar panels generating 1.5 megawatts of electricity will be installed on the roof, contributing to the airport's sustainability efforts.

The new terminal's size

The Hollywood Burbank Airport, located in Los Angeles County, California, is a relatively small airport with a devoted following among Southern California flyers due to its convenient location. The airport has broken ground on a new terminal, which is expected to be completed by October 2026, as part of the $1.25 billion Elevate BUR project. The new terminal will be built across one of the runways in a former parking area and will expand the airport's size significantly.

The current terminal, located in the airport's southeastern corner, spans 232,000 square feet. The new terminal will expand to 355,000 square feet, providing much-needed space for enhanced passenger amenities and facilities. This includes more room for passenger processing, seating areas, baggage claims, and shopping and dining options. The terminal will also feature a new parking structure for cars, including EV charging spaces, and an aircraft parking area spanning 45,900 square feet.

The new terminal's design will meet current earthquake and ADA accessibility standards, with a focus on sustainability. It will pursue at least a LEED Silver certification and reduce water usage by connecting to regional transit. The terminal will also retain the airport's unique characteristic of allowing passengers to walk outside to board their flights via stairs, rather than through enclosed jet bridges.

The construction of the new terminal addresses the challenges faced by the current aging terminal, which lacked modern amenities and had limited space for expansion. The expanded size of the new terminal will enhance the passenger experience, providing more comfortable and efficient facilities while also ensuring compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards. The project marks a significant milestone in the airport's history, elevating the travel experience for passengers flying into and out of Burbank.

The airport's ownership and control

The Hollywood Burbank Airport, formerly known as Bob Hope Airport, is owned by the Burbank–Glendale–Pasadena Airport Authority, a separate government agency created under a joint powers agreement between the three cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena in 1977. The airport is controlled by the governments of these three cities. The Authority consists of nine Commissioners, with three representatives from each city, appointed by their respective city councils.

The Airport Authority has its own police and fire departments, the Burbank–Glendale–Pasadena Airport Authority Police, and an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) station. The ARFF station is equipped with state-of-the-art vehicles and technology, including Rosenbauer Panther 1500 vehicles and compressed air foam (CAF) technologies.

While the airport's operations are decided by the Authority, the City of Burbank retains sole control over development and building permits, which has led to a standoff over the construction of a new commercial terminal. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also been involved in decisions regarding the airport, such as denying a proposed ban on nighttime operations to prevent hindrances to commerce and congestion in the Los Angeles area.

The airport's mission, as stated by the Burbank–Glendale–Pasadena Airport Authority, is to provide efficient, safe, convenient, and user-friendly regional airport facilities and related services while being a good neighbour to the surrounding communities.

The airport's history and previous names

Hollywood Burbank Airport is a public airport located three miles (4.8 km) northwest of downtown Burbank, in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The airport serves Burbank, Hollywood, and the northern Greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley.

The airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history. When it first opened in May 1930, it was known as United Airport. The dedication ceremony, which took place on Memorial Day weekend (May 30 - June 1), 1930, included an air show and other festivities. The airport featured a Spanish Revival-style terminal and was the largest commercial airport in the Los Angeles area until 1946 when it was surpassed by the Los Angeles Airport in Westchester.

In 1934, the airport's name changed to Union Air Terminal following the dissolution of United Aircraft and Transport due to Federal anti-trust actions. This name remained until 1940 when Lockheed purchased the airport and renamed it Lockheed Air Terminal. Despite Lockheed's extensive involvement in the war effort and aircraft development during World War II, airline flights continued to operate from the airport.

In 1967, the airport was renamed Hollywood-Burbank Airport, reflecting its proximity to the famous neighbourhood. However, in 1978, it was sold to the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority and subsequently renamed Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport. This name change acknowledged the airport's service to a broader area beyond just Burbank.

In 2003, the airport's legal name became Bob Hope Airport, honouring the renowned comedian. However, in 2017, it was rebranded once more as Hollywood Burbank Airport. This change was made to better associate the airport with its geographic region, as many people were unfamiliar with the location implied by "Bob Hope Airport." Despite the legal name change, the airport code for the airport remains BUR.

Funding for infrastructure upgrades

In addition, the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA) has played a key role in securing funding for infrastructure upgrades. In 2020, the BGPAA awarded a Design-Build Agreement to the Holder, Pankow, TEC, Joint Venture (HPTJV) for the Replacement Passenger Terminal (RPT) project, also known as "ElevateBUR." The Commission authorized $55 million in funding for Phase 1 of the project and approved the issuance of a Notice to Proceed.

Furthermore, in May 2024, the BGPAA closed on $724.78 million of its 2024 Series A, B, and C Airport Senior Revenue Bonds. The proceeds of these bonds will finance the majority of the cost of the "Elevate BUR" program and the development of the RPT Project. Over 100 institutional investors participated in the transaction, demonstrating strong support for the project.

The airport has also received federal grants for infrastructure improvements. In August 2022, it was announced that Hollywood Burbank Airport would receive nearly $3 million in federal grants from the bipartisan infrastructure package passed by Congress. These funds will be used for various improvements, including a noise study recommended by the Southern San Fernando Valley Airplane Noise Task Force.

Overall, the funding for infrastructure upgrades at Hollywood Burbank Airport has come from a combination of federal grants, revenue bonds, and contributions from the FAA, airlines, and airport users. These investments will help to enhance the safety, convenience, and overall experience of passengers utilizing the airport.

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