American Airlines

Bob Hope Airport officials approved additional parking rate increases this week to tackle steady revenue drops caused by declining passenger activity that's expected to be exacerbated by JetBlue's decision to eliminate all daytime flights at the airfield as of Jan. 6. The decision will eliminate one daily flight to JFK International Airport in New York City and another to Las Vegas. JetBlue's evening service to JFK will continue. A spokeswoman for the airline, Tamara Young, said in a statement that customer demand is “the ultimate factor in determining a route or flight schedule.” And despite cutbacks in Burbank, JetBlue's overall network continues to expand, Young said.

Passenger and parking revenue figures at Bob Hope Airport continued their downward glide in February as the airfield moves forward with some uncertainty after the loss of American Airlines. The airport handled 309,259 passengers in February, a 1.7% drop from 314,259 passengers during the same period last year, according to a report released Monday to the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority. The number was slightly below what was budgeted, said Dan Feger, the airport's executive director.

Laura Sturza AIRPORT DISTRICT -- While maintaining the Federal Aviation Administration's enhanced security procedures, three airlines at Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport offered passengers curbside check-in beginning Thursday, officials said. The FAA lifted the ban Sept. 28 on curbside check-in by baggage handlers commonly referred to as skycaps, and each airline has had to make adjustments to comply with added federal security requirements. Not all airlines were able to resume service right away.

The impending departure of American Airlines, coupled with declining passenger numbers and parking revenues, has forced officials at Bob Hope Airport to put a proposed multi-million dollar transportation center back under the microscope. At a meeting Tuesday, officials said they may cut between $9 million and $11 million from its estimated $102.5-million price tag - a move that could improve the airport's financing options for the project. The credit-rating agency Fitch raised concerns late last year about the airport's financial stability because of its dependence on parking revenues - which have been falling - and its largest carrier, Southwest Airlines.

The decision by American Airlines to pull out of Bob Hope Airport might further harm an airfield that has been grappling with a yearlong slide in passenger numbers, which gained the notice of an important credit rating agency. American, which made up 7.5% of passenger traffic - roughly 3.9 million people - at Bob Hope from January to November 2011, will stop flying out of Burbank on Feb. 9, the airline announced Monday. American flies two to three flights a day out of Burbank, said airline spokesman Ed Martelle.

The withdrawal of American Airlines from Bob Hope Airport is more than just another bump in the road for the regional airfield. __________________________________ FOR THE RECORD: This editorial incorrectly stated the number of passengers the Bob Hope Airport stands to lose after American Airlines closes operations. It is 292,500. In addition, the editorial failed to make clear that the Glendale-Burbank-Pasadena Airport Authority is the sole governmental body financially responsible for the facility.

Ryan Carter Organizers are preparing for the city's observance of Patriot Day in front of Police and Fire Headquarters to remember the events of Sept. 11. "It's an important day for Burbank for the same reason it's important for every neighborhood, every city and every village in the United States -- because we're all American," Mayor David Laurell said. The event begins at 7 a.m. Sept. 11. Laurell said organizers hope businesses, students and others will show up to take part, even if it means getting to work a little late that day. The event will feature a mixture of silent and symbolic memorials, as well as songs.

Toluca Lake resident Peter Casey, the Emmy Award-winning co-creator and executive producer of "Frasier," has been named San Francisco State University's 2002 Alumnus of the Year by the university's alumni association. Casey earned a bachelor of arts degree in radio and television from the university in 1975. Shortly after graduating, Casey moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a television writer. In 1978, after 31/2 years of rejection, he and his writing partner David Lee sold a script to "The Jeffersons."

Paul Clinton AIRPORT DISTRICT -- After a dozen years of wear and tear, the southern tip of Burbank Airport's north-south runway is to be repaved. The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority voted Tuesday to hire Long Beach-based Excel Paving for the work at cost of $432,945. Excel will repave approximately 900 feet of Runway 33, which is the airport's primary runway. The firm must conform to rigid federal standards for the work and will add grooves to the pavement to allow for water runoff as well as providing gripping for the tires of departing jets.

Good morning, readers. Today is Monday, October 22. Woodbury University in Burbank is now under new leadership. Luis Calingo was officially installed as president of the university during an inauguration ceremony Saturday . Calingo replaces Kenneth Nielsen, who served as president for 16 years. Burbank Leader A San Fernando Valley-based filmmaker is gaining national attention for one of her films.  Ava DuVernay's latest film, “Middle of Nowhere,” has expanded to theaters across the country after an endorsement from Oprah Winfrey . Washington Times According to a new report, Bob Hope Airport in Burbank managed to inch ahead of budget projections for the fiscal year 2012 despite a drop in parking revenue and the loss of major air carrier American Airlines.