Safety officials in air transportation are raising concerns about potential risks at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in Los Angeles. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently convened to discuss the January 2025 incident involving an American Airlines plane and a Black Hawk helicopter on the Potomac River.
NTSB Director Jennifer Homendy highlighted the airspace issues, specifically referring to Burbank Airport. She mentioned that a commercial airline had alerted her about a potential collision threat there, expressing frustration that no one at the FAA seemed to be taking these warnings seriously. “The FAA has to ensure safety. That’s their job,” she stated.
Interestingly, statistics indicate that Burbank saw 862,825 passengers from January to November last year, marking a 12.08% increase compared to the previous year.
In light of last year’s tragic crash, the FAA has been analyzing the air traffic around Hollywood Burbank and nearby Van Nuys Airports. An official document noted that both airports operate a variety of aircraft types with closely spaced flight paths, and they are examining how to manage this flow better.
In February, based on a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) analysis, the FAA decided to lower traffic patterns in Van Nuys by 200 feet in an effort to prevent potential collisions with planes landing in Burbank.
That fateful crash on January 29, 2025, resulted in the deaths of 64 individuals aboard the American Airlines plane, as well as three on the Black Hawk helicopter. It’s worth noting that Van Nuys Airport, which specializes in non-commercial air travel, is operated by the city of Los Angeles, which also manages the larger Los Angeles International Airport.
While Burbank did respond to the concerns raised by Homendy during the hearing, it chose to emphasize the FAA’s commitment to safety. A statement from the airport asserted that ensuring safety during taxiing and flights is the FAA’s primary focus and falls under its jurisdiction.
