Concerns Raised Over Safety at Burbank Airport

Tight airspace and overlapping flight patterns with nearby Van Nuys Airport create heightened risk, according to pilots and aviation officials.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Hollywood Burbank Airport in California is facing growing safety concerns due to its unique location and the congested airspace over Los Angeles. With a short main runway and significant air traffic from the nearby Van Nuys Airport, pilots have reported numerous near-collisions in recent years. The Federal Aviation Administration has made some adjustments to increase clearance between the two airports, but many still worry that the risk of a midair collision remains high.

Why it matters

Burbank Airport is a major commercial hub serving the Los Angeles area, and any safety issues could have serious consequences for passenger flights and the broader aviation system. The concerns raised by pilots and aviation officials highlight the challenges of operating an airport in a crowded airspace and the need for continued vigilance and safety improvements.

The details

Burbank's main runway is particularly short, and there is significant air traffic from the nearby Van Nuys Airport, located just six miles away. This creates extremely tight parameters for pilots as they prepare to land at Burbank. Since 2018, there have been at least 12 near collisions reported at Burbank, with pilots and aviation officials detailing close encounters with aircraft from Van Nuys. The FAA has acknowledged the issue, testing out lowering the altitude for Van Nuys flights to increase clearance, but some still worry the changes are not enough to significantly improve safety.

  • Since 2018, there have been at least 12 near collisions reported at Burbank.
  • In 2025, a pilot called for changes after a similar incident, mentioning Burbank's short runway and other nearby obstacles, including Van Nuys flights.
  • Last year, the FAA tested out lowering the altitude for Van Nuys flights, leading to a permanent increase in the clearance between Burbank and Van Nuys aircraft by 200 feet.

The players

Jennifer Homendy

Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, who highlighted the safety concerns at Burbank Airport.

Trent Sanders

A private pilot who has flown from Whiteman Airport, another airport near Burbank and Van Nuys, and is aware of the heightened risk between the two airports.

Rob Newman

A pilot and the department chair of Glendale Community College's Aviation Department, who explained the overlapping flight patterns between Burbank and Van Nuys.

Josh Saltsman

The owner of Hot Shot Aviation, a flight school and rental company at Van Nuys Airport, who is concerned about the FAA's recent changes decreasing the clearance between smaller aircraft and helicopters.

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What they’re saying

“Commercial airlines have called me to say the next midair [collision] is going to be at Burbank and nobody is paying attention to us.”

— Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board (Los Angeles Times)

“Quite frankly, this event scared the hell out of me.”

— Unnamed pilot (Los Angeles Times)

“It's a constant thought. As long as you're able to get some good guidance and figure out how the area works and what's around you, you are able to build a safe plan and navigate appropriately. … Safety is not negotiable.”

— Josh Saltsman, Owner, Hot Shot Aviation (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The FAA says it is continuing to monitor the situation at Burbank Airport and may consider additional changes to improve safety, such as adjusting the positioning of the main runway to avoid the conflict with Van Nuys airspace.

The takeaway

The safety concerns at Burbank Airport highlight the challenges of operating an airport in a crowded airspace and the need for constant vigilance and proactive safety measures. While the FAA has taken some steps to address the issue, many pilots and aviation experts remain worried that the risk of a serious incident remains high, underscoring the importance of continued efforts to enhance safety at this critical transportation hub.