Airport entered holiday season with fifth straight month of double-digit gains
December 23, 2019
(Ontario, California – December 23, 2019) – Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) continued to attract more air travelers in November as total passenger volume rose by 10%, the fifth straight month of double-digit growth. For the year, ONT has welcomed more than 5 million customers.
Passenger volume in November topped 501,000, with 475,000 domestic travelers and 26,000 international passengers – increases of 10.1% and 8.8%, respectively, over the same month last year. November was also the third month of 2019 in which the number of passengers who flew through ONT totaled more than a half-million.
From January through November, more than 5 million passengers arrived and departed ONT, an increase of 8.4% over the same period of 2018. Of those, nearly 4.8 million were domestic fliers while almost 275,000 were international travelers, increases of 7.2% and 35%, respectively.
The November report comes just two weeks after ONT earned the designation as the fastest growing airport in the U.S. for the second year in a row by Global Traveler, a leading industry publication geared to frequent business and luxury travelers. Ontario also holds the designation of favorite alternative airport in the U.S., according to popular web publication Trazee Travel.
“We continued to see robust passenger gains in the run-up to the Thanksgiving and winter holidays, showing that Ontario is an attractive destination airport, especially at times when other airports can be congested and the travel experience stressful,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “Ontario has quickly made a name for itself as an appealing gateway to Southern California, offering first-rate facilities and services along with a hassle-free customer experience.”
Last week, Frontier Airlines announced a significant expansion of service through ONT adding nonstop flights to Newark, Miami and Las Vegas beginning in April, with new international routes to El Salvador in May and Guatemala in June. With the new flights, air travelers will be able to reach more than two dozen destinations via nonstop service from ONT. Frontier currently flies to its home base in Denver, Austin and Orlando from Terminal 2.
Shipments of commercial freight also continued to grow by more than 5% to 66,000 tons in November, while mail volume declined almost 26%. Overall, cargo increased 4.2% for the month.
From January through November, cargo volume increased 2.5% to almost 700,000 tons based largely on gains in commercial freight of 3.6%. For the year, mail shipments decreased 23% compared to 2018.
|
|
November 2019
|
November 2018
|
% Change
|
YTD 2019
|
YTD 2018
|
% Change
|
|
Passenger Traffic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
475,453
|
431,955
|
10.1%
|
4,794,636
|
4,471,482
|
7.2%
|
|
International
|
26,186
|
24,067
|
8.8%
|
274,307
|
203,239
|
35.0%
|
|
Total
|
501,639
|
456,022
|
10.0%
|
5,068,943
|
4,674,721
|
8.4%
|
|
Air Cargo (Tons)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Freight
|
66,319
|
63,122
|
5.1%
|
671,817
|
648,325
|
3.6%
|
|
Mail
|
1,338
|
1,807
|
-25.9%
|
21,116
|
27,482
|
-23.2%
|
|
Total
|
67,657
|
64,928
|
4.2%
|
692,933
|
675,807
|
2.5%
|
About Ontario International Airport
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 22 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 72 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com.
Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)
The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).
Frequent fliers see what they like in Southern Cal gateway
December 12, 2019
(Ontario, California - December 12, 2019) – Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest-growing airport in the United States for the second consecutive year, based on a survey of frequent travelers by Global Traveler, a leading industry publication geared to business and luxury fliers who travel extensively in the U.S. and abroad.
The repeat recognition comes as ONT has seen its year-over-year passenger volumes jump another 8.3% through the first 10 months of 2019, driven by a 39.5% increase in international travel. Ontario welcomed more than 5.1 million passengers in 2018 and, at the current pace, as many as 5.5 million are expected this year, the highest figure since 2008 when 6.2 million moved through the airport.
“Much of the credit for our airport’s success is also due to the consistent support of our community neighbors, who welcome our customers with open arms and enthusiastically support our plans to develop a major aviation hub in the Inland Empire,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the OIAA Board of Commissioners. “We pride ourselves in offering the facilities, services and amenities that appeal to our customers and, as a result, our airport continues to be an attractive destination for leisure and business travelers in Southern California and an economic driver for the region.”
Mark Thorpe, OIAA chief executive officer, expressed appreciation to the travelers who honored ONT with this award, and to the community that has supported the airport through its growth in service.
“It’s an honor to serve one of the fastest-growing population and economic centers in the country. We’re immensely grateful to the savvy travelers who took part in the survey and the many customers who continue to show such great faith and confidence in our airport,” Thorpe said. “Our mission has been and remains to build the best airport in America for travelers who value convenience, a great customer experience and a wide variety of destinations that meet their needs.”
During 2019, Delta Air Lines began its three daily flights between ONT and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, while United Airlines launched a daily flight to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Southwest Airlines initiated four-flights-a-day service to San Francisco International Airport and added a flight to Denver International Airport.
Ontario has an estimated capacity of 30 million annual passengers with the optimal infrastructure for growth in Southern California; an unconstrained airfield with no curfew or noise restrictions; runways long enough for any commercial airplane flying today; an operational Federal Inspection Station to accommodate international flights; plenty of aircraft gates for long-term airline growth; and ground transportation options with easy curbside access to passenger terminals.
The GT survey results, which rank airports, airlines, hotels and other travel-related products and services, were reported in the 2019 Tested Reader Survey published in its December edition. Winners in each of the 80 categories were also recognized in a news release.
About Ontario International Airport
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 22 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 72 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com.
Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)
The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President of the Board of the Commissioners), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).
Partnership makes it easy to get from four area Metrolink Stations to ONT with nearly $400,000 program
December 10, 2019
(Ontario, California - December 10, 2019) – Ontario International Airport officials welcomed free Lyft rides which are now available between Ontario International Airport (ONT) and four Metrolink train stations, giving airport customers another cost-effective option to reach passenger terminals.
The $396,000 pilot program, which went into effect this month, is funded by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) in partnership with Omnitrans, Metrolink and Lyft, the exclusive app-based ride-hail service provider to ONT.
The program allows for Lyft rides of up to $35 to or from Metrolink stations at Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario-East and is designed to increase public transportation ridership to ONT. Fares are charged by Lyft directly to SBCTA.
Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners, immediate past president of SBCTA and a member of the Ontario City Council, cheered the partnership as an important next step in helping ONT meet the air travel needs of one of the fastest-growing population and economic centers in the United States.
“A big part of what distinguishes Ontario airport is its access and convenience and, as an airport authority, we are committed to exploring all options which enable us to maintain that competitive edge, increase commuter and transit options, and promote sound growth as we continue to development of Southern California’s newest aviation gateway,” Wapner said.
SBCTA President Darcy McNaboe noted that local control of the Inland Empire airport has spurred significant, positive change for one of our county’s greatest economic assets.
“To enthusiastically support this change, we are creating a pilot program that helps connect transit to the airport. The information we gather from this program will help us develop future connections that will ease congestion, improve communities, and continue to make San Bernardino County great.”
The Montclair, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga train stations are on Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line, while the Ontario-East Station is part of Metrolink’s Riverside Line.
“Using Metrolink to connect through Lyft to Ontario International Airport makes sense for travelers as we have 52 trains that make stops Monday through Friday at the stations where the Lyft partnership is offered,” said Metrolink Board Chair Brian Humphrey. “Customers also have weekend options on the San Bernardino Line where Metrolink has 20 trains that stop at the stations on Saturday and 14 trains on Sunday.”
Air travelers are eligible for the free Lyft ride to ONT by entering GOSBCTA into their mobile app or state the code when calling into the concierge. The origin and destination must match the parameters of the participating station and riders must be standing within a geo-fenced boundary that is limited to the station platform and designated drop-off/pick-up areas within the station.
More information about the program is available at www.metrolinktrains.com/traintoplane.
About Ontario International Airport
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 22 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 72 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com.
Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)
The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President of the Board of the Commissioners), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).
About METROLINK (metrolinktrains.com)
Metrolink is Southern California's commuter rail service enabling people to connect to their jobs and explore all that the region has to offer. Every year, Metrolink has nearly 12 million boardings from people who ditch their cars to avoid gridlock, removing an estimated 8.9 million vehicles from the roads and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 128,700 metric tons. Metrolink is the largest commuter rail agency in California and the third largest in the United States operating seven lines along a 538-mile network that travels across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.
About SBCTA (gosbcta.com)
Serving more than 2.1 million residents of San Bernardino County, the SBCTA is responsible for cooperative regional planning and furthering an efficient multi-modal transportation system countywide. The SBCTA supports freeway construction projects, regional and local road improvements, train and bus transportation, railroad crossings, call boxes, ridesharing, congestion management efforts, and long-term planning studies.