Takeoff Ban Should Be Shelved, FAA Chief Says

BURBANK —  A proposed ban on easterly takeoffs at Burbank Airport should be removed from the draft agreement for a new airport terminal, according to Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey.

The proposal had drawn heated criticism from residents west of the airport, who said it would increase aircraft noise over their neighborhoods.

In a letter to the editor published Sunday in The Times Valley Edition, Garvey said the agreement must take such concerns into account.

“Everyone with a significant interest in the outcome must be at the table,” Garvey wrote. “Issues that affect parties who were not included in the discussion--such as the proposed ban on eastbound takeoffs--should be removed voluntarily from the framework.”

The proposed ban, however, would prevent jets from taking off over east Burbank and could help win Burbank voters’ approval of a planned ballot measure on the terminal project.