Hollywood Burbank Airport Celebrates New Passenger Terminal with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

BURBANK, CA, Oct 6, 2026 – The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA) celebrated a major milestone Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new passenger terminal. The event brought together federal, state and local leaders, aviation partners and community stakeholders ahead of the facility’s scheduled opening on October 13th.

The ceremony marked the completion of one of the region’s most significant infrastructure projects. In less than three years, Hollywood Burbank Airport constructed an entirely new passenger terminal while maintaining uninterrupted operations for the millions of passengers who travel through BUR each year.

More than 96 years after first opening its doors to travelers, the airport welcomedguests to the ribbon-cutting at the new facility to celebrate the end of the project and the future of air travel at BUR.

This new terminal reflects the collaboration of local, state, and federal partners, airlines, labor organizations, designers, engineers, and construction teams, who came together to make this project possible. During his remarks at the ceremony, John Hatanaka, Executive Director of Hollywood Burbank Airport, noted that “working together with all of you has brought the desire to improve the safety of the airport into a reality.” Hatanaka also reflected on the airport’s history and the transition to the new facility. During his remarks, he shared, “For 96 years, the legacy terminal embraced and protected everyone who passed through her doors. She will be missed but never forgotten.”

Speakers at the event included Tyron Hampton, President of the Burbank-Glendale- Pasadena Airport Authority; John Hatanaka, Executive Director of Hollywood Burbank Airport; U.S. Senator Adam Schiff; California State Transportation Agency Secretary Omishakin; Burbank Mayor Tamala Takahashi; Southwest Airlines Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson; friend of the airport, television host and comedian Jay Leno; and other elected officials and project partners.

In his remarks, Hampton reflected on the significance of the milestone, noting, “For us to be here, we must recognize the foundations we are standing on.” He added, “It was
important to our entire commission that we build something that will last for the next hundred years.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony also featured live musical performances by the award- winning Zelter String Quartet and the Radio Free Voices Choir, as well as guided tours of the new terminal, giving attendees a first look at the airport’s next chapter before passengers officially begin traveling through the facility later this month.

The new passenger terminal will provide the same convenience that travelers enjoy now, with an elevated experience. The design of the facility, known as the Icon, is inspired by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and film industry’s roots. It was selected based on community feedback.

Passengers will enjoy a variety of shopping and dining options, upgraded restrooms, and more space to move around.

Passenger and employee safety was the driving force behind the decision to build a new terminal. The design incorporates enhanced separation between the airport runways and the terminal building, along with updates to meet current earthquake resilience standards and ADA accessibility requirements.