BURBANK ADDS TO AIRLINES SKYWEST, SCENIC TO DEBUT.

BURBANK - Despite massive layoffs and cutbacks throughout the aviation industry, SkyWest and Scenic airlines announced plans Thursday to begin service at Burbank Airport.

During a meeting of the Airport Authority, its operations and development committee recommended approving a contract with SkyWest Airlines to operate as a Delta connection between Burbank and its hub in Salt Lake City. Scenic Airlines would provide chartered flights to Laughlin, Nev.

SkyWest spokesman David Clark said his company remained committed to the Salt Lake City route despite repercussions from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the East Coast.

``We are in a pretty rapidly changing environment,'' he said. ``If any changes occur, we will put something out to that effect.''

Delta's president said Thursday the company would announce layoffs next week because of the drop in air travel after last week's terrorist attacks.

Plans call for SkyWest to offer 14 flights a week aboard 50-seat Candair Regional Jets - a service it discontinued a few years ago. The flights would depart at noon and 4:30 p.m. daily, starting Nov. 1.

Under the proposed contract, SkyWest would pay the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority about $115,500 a year in landing fees, passenger facility charges and space rent.

Scenic Airlines, one of the largest air tour companies in the world, has proposed four charter flights per week - and eventually up to 12 - between Burbank and Laughlin. Although the airline has been operating out of the airport's private terminal, the new flights would be based in the main terminal.

Approved by the Airport Authority on Thursday, Scenic Airlines' contract takes effect today.

Norm Freeman, chief executive officer of Scenic Airlines, said his company has a contract with Air Laughlin Tours - a transportation marketing organization for hotels and casinos in Laughlin - to provide the chartered flights.

Air Laughlin Tours has suffered a dramatic drop in business since the attacks, but the general manager of its reservation center said the company is committed to continuing the chartered flights.

``We've had a lot of cancellations to rebook trips within one year. Most people are choosing not to cancel permanently, but to come back at a later time,'' said Warren Kaplan.

Kaplan said he hopes that business will bounce back soon because flights to Laughlin are short and therefore less intimidating to travelers.

``Most of the cancellations are with long-haul, coast to coast travel - travel that is greater than two hours from home,'' said Kaplan, who noted that for now his company has cut back flights from two a day to one at Burbank Airport.

Under the contract, Scenic Airlines will fly F-27 aircraft, twin-engine turbo planes with seating for 44 passengers. The company will pay the Airport Authority $24,000 in landing fees per year.