Burbank Air Traffic Climbs
Passenger traffic at Burbank Bob Hope Airport rose again in April and further improvements are likely as airlines add service at the airfield.
The airport served 333,406 passengers, up 2.3 percent, from April 2014. It is the third straight month the airport has seen an increase.
Bob Hope Airport has struggled in the past few years as flight traffic and passenger counts dwindled amid the recession, and as carriers consolidated operations at larger airports to keep planes full. But the coming months could continue to see increases in passengers as four airlines have notified the airport they will add seasonal flights beginning this month.
This week US Airways is adding one daily nonstop to Phoenix on its Sunday through Friday schedule, while United is adding three daily flights on its weekend schedule serving Denver and San Francisco. Alaska Airways and Southwest Airlines are also adding flights serving Burbank.
Private Jets Can Clear Customs at Van Nuys
Customs service for international travelers has returned to Van Nuys Airport after a nine-year absence.
A dedicated 1,500- square-foot facility at fixed-based operator Signature Flight Support for use by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officially opened late last month. It features an interview room, inspection room, office space and a high level of security.
Aircraft operators flying in from international destinations will now no longer have to stop at Los Angeles International Airport or another port-of-entry to clear customs before continuing on to Van Nuys. The operators will pay a sliding user fee for the customs check.
Van Nuys has been without customs agents since 2006, when they were pulled from there and Burbank Bob Hope Airport for re-assignment.
Phenomenex Buys Spanish Distributor
Phenomenex Inc., a Torrance company that makes components for chemical testing used by food and drug companies, has acquired its longtime Spanish distribution partner, Micron Analitica S.A. of Madrid.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. A direct presence in Spain will allow Phenomenex to tailor its products and services to Spanish customers’ needs, the firm said in a statement.
With the addition of Phenomenex Spain, the firm now has 850 employees and subsidiaries in 16 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden.
True Religion Gets New CEO
Vernon denim company True Religion Apparel Inc. announced on Tuesday that John Ermatinger will immediately become its new chief executive. Ermatinger has served as the company’s interim senior vice president of global sourcing and production and was previously Tommy Hilfiger’s chief executive for Asia.
True Religion’s current Chief Executive David Conn is stepping down, according to company officials.
