Hollywood Burbank Airport Undergoes Overhaul
Hollywood Burbank Airport, known for its quick passage through security, is set for a major facelift aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency, but travelers can expect delays during the process.
Passengers usually breeze through TSA checkpoints in about five minutes, with a total travel time of under an hour from curb to terminal. However, officials are advising that starting Monday, it’s wise to arrive at least two hours prior to departure due to anticipated traffic issues.
The airport’s main terminal and surrounding roads will be revamped, which could disrupt services for over two months. Architects describe the updated airport design as a modern tribute to the golden era of Hollywood, featuring a canopy reminiscent of classic movie premieres. The entrance will showcase columns angled to evoke the iconic searchlights used at film events.
Brent Kelly, a principal at the design firm Kogan, noted that the theme truly channels old Hollywood. The current terminal, positioned less than a football field away from runway activity, presents safety and access complications, a reality highlighted by past incidents. For instance, a Southwest Airlines jet once skidded off the runway and crashed through a fence, landing near a gas station.
There were also numerous delays and cancellations last year due to staffing shortages that followed a federal shutdown, and a recent close-call incident between a plane and a helicopter raised further concerns about safety. Construction is now underway on a 355,000-square-foot terminal in the northeast section of the 555-acre airport. This $1.3 billion project is expected to conclude by year’s end.
Interestingly, as Burbank updates its offerings, Los Angeles International Airport to the south is simultaneously undergoing a massive $30 billion expansion. Forecasts suggest that LAX will become the fifth busiest airport in the U.S. by 2024, surpassing Burbank’s passenger numbers by a significant margin.
The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority has stated that the new terminal aims to resolve ongoing safety and accessibility issues. The redesigned terminal will be 50% larger and set about 880 feet from the runway, though it will retain the same number of gates as the old structure while offering an open-air feel with canopied boarding areas.
Before the new terminal opens, however, travelers will face construction-related delays. From April 6 to June 6, one lane of southbound Hollywood Way near Thornton Avenue will be closed. Passengers are encouraged to use alternative entrances, such as the Empire Avenue entrance, or access the airport from the west on Thornton Avenue.
Construction work will proceed Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for a minimum of two months, with nearby sidewalks and bike lanes also impacted. The completion of the new terminal is slated for October 2026.
