American Airlines

BURBANK — As deflated travel budgets continue to discourage passengers at Bob Hope Airport, Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority officials are hoping an uptick in fare promotions drives more customers to the gates. Southwest Airlines, which accounts for two-thirds of Bob Hope’s operations, this week introduced what it described as one of the biggest fare sales in the company’s history. The 48-hour sale — one-way trips of up to 400 miles for $30; 400 to 750 miles for $60 and more than 750 miles for $90 — lasted through Wednesday for travel between Sept.

BURBANK — As deflated travel budgets continue to discourage passengers at Bob Hope Airport, Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority officials are hoping that an uptick in fare promotions drives more customers to the gates. Southwest Airlines, which accounts for two-thirds of Bob Hope’s operations, this week introduced what it described as one of the biggest fare sales in the company’s history. The 48-hour sale — one-way trips of up to 400 miles for $30; 400 to 750 miles for $60 and more than 750 miles for $90 — lasted through Wednesday for travel between Sept.

BURBANK — The number of passengers at Bob Hope Airport in April dropped 10.4% from the same period last year, according to the latest figures. While it was still a drop, it was the first time in six months that the dip remained below 20%, prompting speculation over whether deflated travel budgets were starting to recuperate. There were 407,716 passengers in April, 47,354 fewer compared with the same period last year, pushing the year-to-date total down 18.6% to 1.48 million, according to a report this week to the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority.

BURBANK — American Airlines canceled its entire schedule of flights in and out of Bob Hope Airport on Wednesday and Thursday after a string of nationwide cancellations as the carrier works to correct problems related to wiring in its MD-80 planes. Eight trips, originally scheduled to and from the airline’s hub in Fort Worth, Texas — four each on Wednesday and Thursday — stranded more than 800 customers in Burbank as American continued its federally mandated investigation into the wrapping and securing of wire bundles in the wheel wells of all American’s 300 MD-80 jets, officials said.

Ryan Carter The roots of memories about Yeneneh Betru were planted before Sept. 11, and now his family and friends hope they will keep growing in a plot outside a local hospital where he once worked. A crepe myrtle tree was planted Monday in memory of Betru, 35, a Burbank physician and resident who died aboard American Airlines Flight 77 when it crashed into the Pentagon. Family, friends and co-workers gathered outside Providence St. Joseph Medical Center to watch as Aron and Sirak Betru, Yeneneh's younger brothers, planted the tree in front of the hospital, near the corner of Alameda Avenue and Buena Vista Street.

Laura Sturza AIRPORT DISTRICT -- The airline industry is steadily turning toward recovery following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to figures released this week by the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport. Burbank airline passengers numbered 341,514 in January, a 5.7% decrease from January 2001, a report released at the Airport Authority meeting showed. It was the smallest monthly decrease since Sept. 11, Airport Authority spokesman Victor Gill said.

Laura Sturza AIRPORT DISTRICT -- Following Monday's crash of American Airlines flight 587, flights came and went from the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport as usual, but passengers could not help but take note of the day's events. Dorothee Mull, 70, who was preparing to board Southwest Airlines Flight 1298 to Sacramento, said she appreciated the heightened security. "I'm not afraid," Mull said. "When my time is up, it's up." Her daughter, Marison Mull, 41, who was dropping off her mother at the airport, has postponed her planned travels to London.

Ryan Carter BURBANK -- A local church will hold a bake sale to raise money in the name of a Burbank physician who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist-led airplane crash into the Pentagon. Westminster Presbyterian Church will hold a bake sale Sunday to begin raising money for the Salud Foundation, a fund set up in the name of Yeneneh Betru, the 35-year-old Burbank man who died on American Airlines Flight 77. Betru's dream was to transport dialysis machines to his native Ethiopia, to help the sick there.

Ryan Carter BURBANK -- Continuing in the patriotic fervor that has gripped a mourning nation, a tribute was held on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday for the victims of the terrorist actions on the East Coast. Dozens arrived at the steps at 275 E. Olive St. to join in an hour of prayer, reflection, speeches and patriotic songs. "I think it's just something the city feels," said Cinda Cates, spokeswoman for the city. "We want to recognize the oneness of the nation.

Karen S. Kim AIRPORT DISTRICT -- The Assn. of Professional Flight Attendants sent strike ballots to its membership of 23,000 American Airlines employees Jan. 22, asking members to vote whether to strike. The ballots will be counted Feb. 21. The union has been in negotiations with American Airlines for a new contract since March and began mediation, working through the National Mediation Board, in the fall. American Airlines flight attendants conducted an informational picket Jan. 19 at more than 50 airports, including the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport.