CITY OF BURBANK
(818) 238-5751
Statement
Burbank Mayor
Stacey Murphy
Burbank,
March 6, 2000
The near tragic accident of Southwest Airlines Flight 1455 on Sunday
underscores the importance of the FAA and the airlines becoming more directly
involved in helping resolve the impasse over the future of the Burbank Airport.
All of us have a huge stake in assuring that Burbank Airport operates
safely. The accident last night is a
reminder that we cannot take safety for granted.
Safety has always been a major concern for both Burbank and the Airport
Authority as we have worked to reach a solution about the future of the
Airport. An important part of this work
has entailed relocating the terminal.
However, our attempts have not met with support from the airlines and
the FAA. On the contrary, we have been
heavily criticized. This criticism does
nothing to help move this process forward.
We hope last night's accident, which ended so miraculously free from
any fatalities, will serve to motivate everyone involved in the Airport's
future to move ahead.
Such a response would be in the best interests of all users of the
Burbank Airport as well as all the residents surrounding the Airport.