- Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman

Ontario Airport Updates - August 2020

Southern California’s Ontario International Airport scores high in cargo shipment rating

August 27, 2020

(Ontario, California – August 27, 2020) –A new analysis by Fitch Ratings shows only two U.S. airports – Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) – experienced significant growth of commercial air freight shipments in the first five months of 2020 as consumers and businesses increasingly relied on e-commerce sources for household goods and critically needed personal protective equipment as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and stay-home orders were implemented.

According to the Fitch Ratings report, just ONT and ANC saw double-digit growth in commercial cargo while freight volumes at other major cargo hubs were either in line with last year or declined slightly.

From January through May, the period analyzed by Fitch, ONT saw air cargo tonnage increase more than 18% compared to the same period in 2019. According to ONT data, monthly and year-to-date increases were even greater in June and July. From March through July, Ontario recorded monthly increases of more than 20%.

ONT Freight (tonnage)	2020	2019	Change	YTD 2020	YTD 2019	Change
January	61,027	58,246	4.77%	---	---	---
February	55,029	49,159	11.94%	116,056	107,405	8.1%
March	70,221	57,582	21.95%	186,278	164,988	12.9%
April	75,171	59,359	26.64%	261,449	224,346	16.5%
May	81,379	65,559	24.13%	342,828	289,905	18.3%
June	79,152	61,163	29.41%	422,062	351,068	20.2%
July	79,435	62,563	26.97%	501,497	413,631	21.2%

“The Fitch Ratings analysis reaffirms Ontario’s role in our nation’s supply chain network, especially in recent months as the coronavirus pandemic profoundly impacted virtually all aspects of life, and we expect air cargo to remain strong for many months to come,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority.

“Air cargo shipments have been a great insurance policy for us as Ontario, like every other U.S. airport, has experienced steep declines in passenger activity.”

As the Fitch analysis noted, air cargo is frequently used to transport high-value, time-sensitive commodities and, more recently, PPE, ventilators and other medical equipment, demand for which surged as supply chains were disrupted by stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions. Strong growth at ANC and ONT was attributed in part to their “West Coast proximity and ability to handle an increasing share of PPE originating from Asia,” according to the report by the highly regarded provider of credit ratings, commentary and financial research.

About Ontario International Airport (ONT)

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 21 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 67 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).

PBS “The Travel Detective” highlights success of SoCal’s Ontario International Airport under local control

August 26, 2020

(Ontario, California – August 26, 2020) – A new episode of the popular PBS program “The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg” investigates the resurgence of Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT).

Episode 6 of Season 6 will air and stream on PBS stations and websites in the coming weeks. Viewers should check local Public Broadcasting System schedules for air dates and times. (In Southern California it can be viewed on PBS SoCal 2 at 7 p.m. September 15, 2020.)

The segment, reported by Scott McCartney, travel editor and “The Middle Seat” columnist for The Wall Street Journal, explores the importance of secondary airports and ONT’s rise as a preferred regional airport in the metropolitan Los Angeles region since its transfer from the City of Los Angeles to local control under the Ontario International Airport Authority.

“Ours is a powerful story of perseverance and resurgence since the ownership change less than four years ago,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “Ontario Airport’s comeback as an international aviation gateway for Southern California is a testament to all who believed it could again be an attractive low-cost alternative for airlines and an economic engine for the Inland Empire, while delivering a first-rate, hassle-free experience for customers."

Thorpe noted that although the episode was produced in the weeks leading up to the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic, it is particularly timely given the recent resumption of commercial air service from ONT to popular destinations including Atlanta, Chicago and Houston along with the forthcoming launch of new international service to Mexico City. As such, the Travel Detective episode notes, it can serve as a case study for other second airports across the U.S.

Greenberg, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and host of the program, is the CBS News Travel Editor. He appears regularly on CBS programs including “CBS This Morning” and the “CBS Evening News.” His website is a leading travel news resource for consumers and industry insiders alike.

Ontario was the fastest-growing airport in 2019, the second straight year it achieved the honor, with more than 5.5 million airline passengers.

About Ontario International Airport (ONT)

About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)

Delta Air Lines to Fly Ontario, California to Seattle

August 24, 2020

(Ontario, California – August 24, 2020) – Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) will soon offer air travelers a new option to reach Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) when Delta Air Lines service takes off October 1. The new service is the latest in a series of welcomed airline announcements of new and restored air service at ONT in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delta will operate two roundtrip flights a day on the following schedule.

Flt #	Origin	Dest	Dep	Arr	Freq	Aircraft
3632	ONT	SEA	11:15 a.m.	2:05 p.m.	Daily	E175
3608	ONT	SEA	5:35 p.m.	8:25 p.m.	Daily	E175
3656	SEA	ONT	7:40 a.m.	10:25 a.m.	Daily	E175
3640	SEA	ONT	2:00 p.m.	4:45 p.m.	Daily	E175

“This new service by Delta continues to build momentum for ONT's recovery of passenger airline service as we climb out of the COVID-19 pandemic-caused traffic downturn,” said Mark Thorpe, ONT’s chief executive officer. “We believe we will continue to see airlines turn to ONT as they seek to profitably rebuild their flight schedules.”

Delta will serve the route with 76-seat Embraer 175 (Enhanced Winglets) jet aircraft operated by SkyWest DBA Delta Connection offering 12 First Class, 20 Comfort Class and 44 Main Cabin seats. Tickets are now available for purchase at delta.com.

Delta continues leading the industry in providing a safer, cleaner travel experience from check-in to baggage claim. Some of Delta’s health and safety measures include, but are not limited to:

Sanitizing all aircraft with electrostatic spraying before departure and extensive pre-flight disinfection of high-touch points throughout the aircraft interior.
Using state-of-the-art air circulation systems with HEPA filters that extract more than 99.99% of particles, including viruses.
Blocking all middle seats and limiting the number of customers per flight through Jan. 6, 2021.
Requiring face masks throughout the airport, in Delta Sky Clubs and on board the aircraft

Customers can also enjoy greater flexibility in case their plans change, as Delta has extended its change-fee waiver for new flights purchased through Sept. 30, 2020. See delta.com for more details on the Delta CareStandard.

The new Delta flights complement existing SEA service provided by longtime ONT carrier Alaska Airlines.

Delta resumed daily, nonstop service from ONT to its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in July. It also offers frequent daily service between ONT and Salt Lake City (SLC).

More recently, Southwest Airlines restarted service between ONT and Midway International Airport in Chicago while United Airlines resumed service to Houston’s George H.W. Bush Intercontinental Airport. And just last week, Volaris announced it will inaugurate nonstop service between ONT and Mexico City (MEX) in November.

ONT continues intensive efforts to keep passengers and guests safe while in the airport and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by frequently sanitizing restrooms, gate areas and high-touch surfaces with highly effective disinfectant, and utilizing security screening trays treated with powerful antimicrobial technology.

ONT requires appropriate face covers for all customers, visitors and employees. Passengers are urged to wash hands with soap and water frequently and use the many hand sanitizing stations that have been added throughout ONT terminals. Vending machines including personal protective equipment such as face covers, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are also located in passenger terminals.

About Ontario International Airport (ONT)

About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)

Ontario International Airport Welcomes New Volaris Service to Mexico City

August 18, 2020

(Ontario, California – August 18, 2020) – Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) today welcomed news that Volaris will launch nonstop service to Mexico City (MEX), making the capital city the second Mexico destination reached nonstop from ONT.

Volaris will begin the ONT-MEX service November 9, 2020. Reservations and tickets are available now at volaris.com at an introductory price of US$89.99. The new route will complement Volaris’ existing ONT nonstop flight serving Guadalajara (GDL) that began in 2014.

“The announcement is welcome news for travelers – both leisure and business – in the greater Los Angeles area,” said Mark Thorpe, ONT’s chief executive officer. “This new service enhances our efforts to develop an attractive aviation gateway and economic engine for the region. We are especially pleased that an existing airline partner has chosen ONT to expand its business with an important new route appealing to our growing customer base.”

Flight	Origin	Dest	Dep	Arr	Freq	Start
348	Mex	Ont	9:25 p.m.	11:20 p.m.	Mon. & Thurs.	Nov. 9, 2020
349	Ont	Mex	1:00 a.m.	6:55 a.m.	Tues. & Sat.	Nov. 10, 2020

The approximately two-hour flight will operate with A320 equipment outfitted with 179 coach seats.

Announcement of the ONT-MEX services comes on the heels of airlines resuming nonstop flights to Chicago Midway and Houston Intercontinental earlier this month, marking the fourth straight month of flight increases for ONT since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

About Ontario International Airport (ONT)

About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)

Freight shipments remained strong at Ontario International Airport in July while COVID-19 impact continued to suppress passenger traffic

August 12, 2020

(Ontario, California – August 12, 2020) – The COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact operations at Ontario International Airport (ONT) in July as passenger volume decreased by more than 60% while air freight shipments increased nearly 27% compared to July last year.

Ontario has been a focal point in the Southern California supply chain network throughout the pandemic as local residents have increasingly relied on e-commerce to supply their households, leading to higher cargo volumes through ONT. Since the onset of the pandemic, ONT has recorded five straight months of better than 20% increases in cargo tonnage.

In July, commercial freight totaled more than 79,400 tons, an increase of 26.9% from the same month a year ago. In the first seven months of the year, ONT processed more than 500,000 tons of air freight, 21.2% more than the same period in 2019.

Air cargo (tonnage)	July 2020	July 2019	% Change	YTD 2020	YTD 2019	% Change
Freight	79,435	62,563	26.97%	501,497	413,631	21.2%
Mail	2,022	1,780	13.57%	11,510	15,363	-25.1%
Total	81,456	64,343	26.60%	513,007	428,994	19.6%

"These are extraordinary times for the air travel industry and airports around the world, including Ontario, are feeling the brunt of the impact of the coronavirus,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority.

"Though air travel is not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon, freight shipments are a great insurance policy for ONT, and we expect they will continue to be a source of strength and optimism for the rest of this year and into the next.”

The number of passengers who traveled through ONT in July totaled more than 176,000, 64% lower than July 2019, though an improvement over recent months. More than 172,600 were domestic passengers while the number of international customers was over 3,600, decreases of 63% and 86%, respectively.

In the first seven months of the year, ONT passengers totaled more than 1.5 million, half as many as the same period in 2019. Domestic passenger volume was more than 1.4 million, a drop of 50%, while international travelers numbered less than 70,000, a decrease of 60%.

Passenger Totals	July 2020	July 2019	% Change	YTD 2020	YTD 2019	% Change
Domestic	172,605	467,990	-63.12%	1,456,355	2,913,914	-50.0%
International	3,616	26,976	-86.60%	69,377	175,414	-60.4%
Total	176,221	494,966	-64.40%	1,525,732	3,089,328	-50.6%

“Freight shipments continue to drive commercial activity at Ontario, which is always a point of pride, particularly this year,” Thorpe said. “With ample room for growth, we expect Ontario will remain a magnet for economic activity in Southern California, and we anticipate considerable travel demand growth when passengers resume more normal business and leisure travel routines.”

About Ontario International Airport (ONT)

About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)