Hollywood Burbank Airport is ready for its close-up.
The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority cut the ribbon Oct. 5 on the airport’s new $1.3 billion passenger terminal, which officially opened to travelers Oct. 13. The project was completed in less than three years while the airport kept operating without interruption.
At 355,000 square feet, the terminal replaces a facility that first opened to travelers more than 96 years ago. Airport officials said passenger and employee safety drove the decision to rebuild: the new design puts more distance between the runways and the terminal building to meet Federal Aviation Administration safety requirements and brings the facility up to current earthquake-resilience and ADA accessibility standards. It keeps the same number of gates – 14.
Dubbed the Icon, the design draws on Hollywood and the film industry and was selected based on community feedback. Passengers will find more shopping and dining options, upgraded restrooms, more tech connectivity, and more room to move around.
The biggest change for arriving passengers may be in collecting their luggage: instead of the two cramped outdoor areas in the old terminal complex, there’s now one consolidated and upgraded baggage claim area.
John Hatanaka, the airport’s executive director, credited a coalition of local, state and federal partners, airlines, labor organizations, designers, engineers, and construction crews with getting the project done, and reflected on the old terminal building now destined for demolition.
“For 96 years, the legacy terminal embraced and protected everyone who passed through her doors,” he said. “She will be missed but never forgotten.”
Airport Authority President Tyron Hampton said the commission took the long view.
“It was important to our entire commission that we build something that will last for the next hundred years,” he said.