SMALL-JET TRAFFIC FORECASTS INCREASE.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

BURBANK - Business jet operations at Burbank Airport are expected to grow 6.6 percent per year, instead of a previously projected 5.2 percent, according to an updated air-traffic forecast released Tuesday by the Airport Authority.

``Business jets will now become the most rapidly growing segment in Burbank,'' said Peter Stumpp, a consultant working on behalf of the authority.

Stumpp said one reason for the upward revision is that wealthy people across the country are increasingly chartering jets to serve their travel needs, rather than getting on commercial flights.

He said the other reason is the rise of shared ownership of jets, making private flights more widely available.

Except for the change in jet travel, the updated forecast reaffirmed conclusions in a prior study.

The airline operations forecast remains the same: 7.2 million passengers in 2015, compared with 4.8 million in 1999. The numbers reflect an average annual growth rate of about 2.3 percent.

Although conducted after Sept. 11, the forecast does not take into account the permanent effect that terrorist attacks might have had on the airline industry.

Stumpp said a later study will be conducted to assess the post-Sept. 11 travel climate, which is still evolving.

``We all know there are effects, but it's still fairly new,'' he said.