FAA Chief Gets Earful on Burbank Airport Deal

BURBANK — Three Los Angeles-area congressmen met with Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey 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, saying it would result in more aircraft noise over Los Angeles communities south and west of the airport.

Berman said Garvey indicated that 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.

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

Last week, the administrator met with Burbank officials. At that meeting, 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.