The report also found that 52% of the airport’s passengers are female, 71% have an income of $60,000 or more, 69% are California residents, and 65% are between 25 and 54 years old.
Sixty percent of the airport’s passengers said their trips were for pleasure or vacation.
About 1,200 passengers and 76% of the airport’s businesses — retail stores, airline carriers and rental car agencies — took part in the survey. Industry and government sources, such as the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, also contributed data to the report.
The authority expects higher prices for flights caused by climbing oil prices to bring airport revenues down in the next year, said Don Arthur, Unison-Maximus Consulting principal.
“This study gives us an updated picture of the airport since the mid-1990s,” said Carl Povilaitis, airport authority president. “The airport’s place in the economic vitality of the region has never been more important.”
Bob Hope Airport was also rated the most convenient Southern California airport compared with John Wayne, Long Beach, Los Angeles International and Ontario International airports.
“It’s clear that the Burbank airport is recognized as a well-managed airport,” Pasadena Commissioner Chris Holden said. “The operations here are regarded in a superior way, and the staff should be acknowledged for all their hard work.”
A reported 74% of passengers surveyed ranked convenience as one of their major considerations in booking a flight.
The airport contributes $386 million toward state and local taxes, according to the report.
