In every case, residential development has encroached upon the basin's airports - LAX, Ontario, Van Nuys and Burbank. It now appears that after a 20year dogfight among opposing special interest groups, the 69-yearold Burbank Airport may be allowed to expand. But, the city of Burbank, whose residents are worried about extra flights, extra noise and extra hazards, have been opposing the effort. At present, the main terminal building is just 225 feet from the runway, a proximity that is considered dangerous for the commercial aviation industry as it operates today. There are no enclosed jetways running from the terminal to the boarding hatch.
Passengers walk out onto the tarmac and climb stairs to board - even in the wind and the rain.
The enclosed space would be 330,000 square feet compared to the 170,000 square feet in the existing facility, which forces some passengers to walk as far as 1,300 feet. The new design would limit the maximum walk to 700 feet. The annual passenger count is expected to increase from 5 million to 5.4 million. But the new terminal is far from fruition. Public hearings and approvals are still ahead and concerns remain that the new terminal will lead to a dramatic increase in flights and noise.