BURBANK, Calif., July 8 (Burbank News Online) — Hollywood Burbank Airport is replacing its terminal complex with one larger building that is expected to open in October 2026. For travelers, the project means a new place to check in, go through security and pick up bags. For drivers, it means a new parking structure and a new airport entrance.
The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority and project materials describe the work as a $1.3 billion replacement terminal project known as Elevate BUR. The publicly available project summaries do not spell out a full funding breakdown, but they do identify the work as a major airport capital project.
What is being built?
The new terminal is designed to replace the airport’s two smaller terminal buildings with one larger facility. Project materials describe 14 gates, a ticketing lobby, a new TSA checkpoint, a baggage claim area, shops and restaurants. The gate count is not expected to increase; the new terminal is set to have the same 14 gates the airport has now.
The airport also plans a new parking structure. Project details say it will add 2,007 parking spaces, including 400 valet spaces, while the airport’s total parking supply will remain 6,637 spaces.
When will it open?
Construction began in January 2024. In construction terms, the project reached a topping-out milestone in January 2025, which means the main steel frame reached its highest point. A later update said the terminal was about 55% complete in September 2025 after steel framing was finished.
An updated project timeline places the opening on Oct. 13, 2026. Earlier project updates had pointed to an opening in October 2026.
Why does this matter for travelers?
The main change is that airport services will be consolidated into one new terminal instead of being split across older buildings. That should put ticketing, security, baggage claim and concessions in one place.
Airport officials have said the airport’s operating hours and number of flights will not change when the new terminal opens. The biggest day-to-day changes are expected to be how people enter the airport and where they park.
Project materials say the new entrance will be at Winona Avenue and Hollywood Way. The airport sits near the Metrolink Burbank Airport North stop, so the rebuild is part of the city’s broader air-and-ground transportation network.
Who is building it?
The project is being delivered as a design-build job. That means one team handles both design and construction. Jacobs is listed as the project manager. Holder Construction, Pankow Builders and TEC Constructors & Engineers are part of the design-build team, with Corgan and CannonDesign providing architectural services.
How did the project get here?
Voters approved the replacement project in 2016, and the airport authority has used the Elevate BUR name for the larger effort. The current terminal buildings are expected to be torn down after the new terminal opens.
Until then, Hollywood Burbank Airport will keep operating from the existing terminal while construction finishes.
