The application was the first of its kind to make it through the review process.
In a 42-page letter released Monday, the FAA ruled that a curfew at Bob Hope unreasonably burdened air traffic and commerce. The letter gave alternatives for dealing with airport noise, leaving room for the authority to challenge the decision in federal court.
“Based on the information submitted in this application, it is not likely the benefits will outweigh the costs to users,” the FAA decision stated.
“It’s very, very, very disappointing,” Commissioner Don Brown said, “but we’re not giving up.”
The Bob Hope curfew has garnered support from Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena city officials, as well as Reps. Howard Berman (D-Valley Village), Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) and Adam Schiff (D-Burbank).
The FAA said the application failed to meet four of six conditions, stating a curfew would hinder business in the air and on the ground.
Schiff said the FAA’s interpretation of the conditions was too stringent.
“We don’t want cities going through this process if the FAA isn’t going to take the statute seriously,” he said.
Sherman also argued that the FAA’s standards were so high that no airport in the country could secure a nighttime curfew.
On Monday, he announced legislation to allow Bob Hope and Van Nuys airports to implement mandatory nighttime curfews. It was drafted in conjunction with the city of Burbank and includes a clear exclusion for medical and other emergency flights, affecting only a small number of cargo flights each day or night.
It comes after years of battles between San Fernando Valley homeowners who maintained that a curfew at Bob Hope would shift flights to Van Nuys Airport, increasing their noise problem.
