NTSB Raises Alarm Over Crowded Airspace Around LA's Private Airport

Federal officials warn of potential midair collisions at Hollywood Burbank Airport due to proximity to Van Nuys Airport

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:23pm

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has raised concerns about the safety conditions at the Hollywood Burbank Airport in Southern California, warning that the crowded airspace and proximity to the busy Van Nuys Airport could lead to a fatal midair collision. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that commercial airlines have expressed worries to the agency about the issue, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not addressed their concerns.

Why it matters

The Hollywood Burbank Airport is a popular destination for private and celebrity air travel, serving over 5.7 million passengers in 2025. However, its close proximity to the Van Nuys Airport, which handles a mix of helicopters and private aircraft, has raised serious safety concerns from federal transportation officials. The NTSB is worried that the crowded airspace and closely spaced arrival and departure paths could lead to a catastrophic midair collision, similar to the one that occurred in 2025 near Washington, D.C.

The details

The NTSB called a meeting to discuss the 2025 midair collision of an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines aircraft near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which killed 67 people. During the meeting, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that the agency is also looking closely at the traffic flows around the Hollywood Burbank Airport and Van Nuys Airport, which are less than 10 miles apart. In response, the FAA lowered the traffic pattern from the Van Nuys Airport in 2025 to reduce any conflicts with Hollywood Burbank landings. However, Homendy warned that the FAA is still disregarding concerns from commercial airlines about the potential for a similar fatal crash at the Hollywood Burbank Airport.

  • In 2025, the FAA lowered the traffic pattern from the Van Nuys Airport to reduce any conflicts with Hollywood Burbank landings.
  • Between January and November 2025, the Hollywood Burbank Airport served over 5.7 million passengers.

The players

Jennifer Homendy

The Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Hollywood Burbank Airport

A popular airport in Southern California that serves over 5.7 million passengers annually and is building a new terminal scheduled for completion in 2026.

Van Nuys Airport

A busy airport in Los Angeles that services helicopters and private aircraft, and is located less than 10 miles from the Hollywood Burbank Airport.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The government agency responsible for the safety of civil aviation in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“I keep hearing about other areas in the airspace where they're concerned. Burbank is one where commercial airlines have called me to say the next midair [collision] is going to be at Burbank and nobody at FAA is paying attention to us.”

— Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board

“Once our passengers are in planes that are taxiing and in flight (arriving or departing), safety is top priority for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).”

— Burbank Airport

What’s next

The NTSB will continue to monitor the safety conditions at the Hollywood Burbank Airport and work with the FAA to address the concerns raised by commercial airlines about the potential for a midair collision in the crowded airspace.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the growing safety concerns around the increasing number of private and celebrity air travel, especially in congested airspaces near major commercial airports. It raises questions about the FAA's oversight and whether more stringent regulations or airspace management strategies are needed to prevent a potential disaster.