More than a quarter-million passengers expected during holidays
November 23, 2020
(Ontario, California – November 23, 2020) – A drive-thru COVID-19 testing site opens today at Ontario International Airport (ONT) just in time for the holiday travel season as airport officials forecast that approximately 280,000 passengers will travel through the Southern California gateway.
Testing is available in parking lot 3 between terminals 2 and 4 from 3-9 p.m. today (Monday, November 23), and thereafter from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week. Tests are administered by Covid Clinic, a Southern California-based non-profit which operates testing sites in California and Arizona. ONT is Covid Clinic’s 24th location.
Rapid tests with results available in as few as 20 minutes are among a variety of antigen and antibody tests offered. Rapid test specimens are processed on-site while others are sent to local third-party laboratories with results generally reported in two to four days.
“The availability of COVID-19 testing adds a new level of service and convenience to the Ontario airport experience,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “It is our hope that on-site testing administered in the comfort of a passenger vehicle will provide peace of mind to our customers, guests and airport employees, as well as any of our neighbors who want to be tested.”
Reservations for testing at ONT, and more detailed test information and pricing, is available here. Patients may be able to receive reimbursement from their health insurance provider for all or a portion of their COVID-19 test.
Thanksgiving holiday travel spanning 11 days from Friday, November 20th through Monday, November 30th is expected to bring more than 100,000 air travelers through ONT, based on current airline schedules, while more than 180,000 are expected to depart and arrive at ONT during the winter holidays from Thursday, December 17th through Sunday, January 3rd. The total number of passengers expected in the coming weeks is 60% of the traveler volume estimated for the period last year.
Surges in COVID-19 infections across the country, government orders to pause restarts and guidance from public health officials to limit family gatherings could cause holiday travel volumes to fluctuate even more, however, as most passengers are purchasing airline tickets within 30 days of departure, Thorpe cautioned.
Nonetheless, as air travel shows signs of gradual resurgence, ONT has recorded six straight months of traffic growth since reaching its low point in April when passenger levels declined by 93%.
Ontario’s recovery ranks first among airports in California and third nationally, having regained roughly 50% of passenger volume compared to a year ago.
International carrier Volaris initiated nonstop service from ONT to its Mexico City base earlier this month. Delta Air Lines, which resumed daily, nonstop service to its Atlanta hub in July, began twice daily, nonstop flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in October. Southwest Airlines restarted its Chicago Midway International Airport route while United Airlines resumed flying to Houston’s George H.W. Bush Intercontinental Airport in August.
Denver-based Frontier Airlines announced in recent days that it will add or restart flights to seven popular U.S. destinations to its ONT schedule between February and May in 2021.
Ontario airport 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.
Ontario 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.
“The pandemic has impacted life in every aspect, but we strive every day with our airline partners to take steps to reassure passengers that they can travel safely,” Thorpe said.
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).
November 19, 2020
(Ontario, California – November 19, 2020) – The gleaming structure on the northwest quadrant of Ontario International Airport (ONT) is hard to miss for anyone traveling along E Airport Drive, the culmination of a $100 million investment by FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., and a vivid reminder of ONT’s status as a leading cargo hub in North America.
The centerpiece of the two-year transformation is a 251,000 square-foot complex which opened earlier this month and includes a sorting facility capable of handling 12,000 packages per hour. The facility also includes nine wide-body aircraft gates, 14 feeder aircraft gates and 18 truck docks.
“The opening of the new FedEx Express Ontario ramp greatly strengthens our operations and services, including our competitive position in the market and added efficiency to handle the increasing e-commerce volume coming out of the Southern California area,” said Richard W. Smith, Regional President of The Americas and Executive Vice President of Global Support, FedEx Express. “We’re proud to launch this state-of-the-art ramp operation right before the peak holiday season.”
“The Ontario International Airport Authority has been instrumental in supporting our vision for this major expansion,” said Tim Wertner, Senior Vice President, Western Division, U.S. Operations, FedEx Express. “We appreciate the airport authority’s collaboration and look forward to this exciting new chapter operating in the Ontario market.”
The redeveloped parcel of more than 50 acres is nearly triple the size of the previous space FedEx occupied and represents the most significant improvement project at ONT since the 1990s. With considerably more space and increased capacity, the operation will employ 490.
“The completion of the FedEx project – a month ahead of schedule – comes on the fourth anniversary of ONT’s transfer to local control, calling to mind how far we have come in transforming the airport into an international gateway and economic engine for Southern California,” said Alan D. Wapner, President of the Ontario International Airport Authority Commission.
Equally important, Wapner noted, is the additional revenue the long-term lease will generate for ONT.
“The ripple effect of the FedEx investment will be clear as it will enable us to make more improvements across the airport complex and build a more powerful economic force for the region.”
The shipping company's move across the airport and the construction of modern facilities and improved infrastructure are key components of a lease approved by the Ontario International Airport Authority in June 2018, keeping the shipper at ONT for at least 30 years.
Under terms of the agreement, which includes provisions that could extend FedEx Express’s presence at ONT for up to 50 years, the airport authority cleared the 51.1-acre lot of structures above and below ground, performed surface grading and took responsibility for required environmental impact reports and analyses.
In turn, FedEx Express, which had operated at ONT for 33 years on 18.5 acres on the airport’s south side, agreed to construct operational, maintenance and administrative facilities while making needed infrastructure improvements including 170,000 square-yards of concrete for aircraft ramp and trucking operations. The improvements were to be completed by November 30.
“The launch of operations from FedEx’s spectacular facility comes at a pivotal moment as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact lives and livelihoods in so many ways,” said Mark Thorpe, OIAA’s chief executive officer.
“The global pandemic cast a bright light on supply chain participants as consumers hunkered down at home and relied on e-commerce shipments of vital household supplies, and we are proud to say Ontario has distinguished itself as a key component in the goods movement industry.”
Cargo was a point of strength for ONT before the coronavirus brought global air travel to a sudden stop in March, Thorpe noted. In 2020, however, air freight has been the lifeblood of the airport and will continue to be for years to come.
Air cargo volume increased 19% through the first nine months of the year and by 20% or more in six of those months. From January through September, freight volume was nearly 645,000 tons compared to 539,000 tons in the same period in 2019.
Development of the FedEx Express facilities and infrastructure improvements were led by Walsh Construction.
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).
Low-cost carrier plans new flights to four U.S. cities and restart of service to three destinations
November 17, 2020
(Ontario, California – November 17, 2020) – Ontario International Airport (ONT) officials cheered news from Frontier Airlines that the low-cost carrier will add service to seven popular U.S. destinations in early 2021.
Frontier will begin new service to Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco and Chicago (O’Hare International Airport) between February and May. The frequency of flights to Phoenix is scheduled to increase to four per week in March, with flights to Sacramento and San Francisco increasing to four per week beginning in May.
The Denver-based carrier will also restart flights suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic to Las Vegas, Orlando and Miami between February and April.
| Destination |
Flights Per Week |
Start Date |
Flights Per Week |
Start Date |
| Phoenix (PHX)* |
Two |
February 11 |
Four |
March 11 |
| Sacramento (SMF)* |
Two |
March 11 |
Four |
May 13 |
| San Francisco (SFO)* |
Two |
March 11 |
Four |
May 13 |
| Chicago (ORD)* |
Four |
May 13 |
|
|
| Las Vegas (LAS)** |
Four |
February 11 |
|
|
| Orlando (MCO)** |
Four |
February 11 |
|
|
| Miami (MIA)** |
Four |
April 15 |
|
|
*New service **Restart of service
“Frontier is a longtime Ontario partner – the first to announce new service after ONT’s transfer to local control in 2016. They recognize the value of our low-cost, international gateway,” said Mark Thorpe, Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) chief executive officer. “Like other carriers, Frontier felt the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but is now betting that a rebuild of its Ontario flight schedule will help quicken its return to profitability. And that’s a good bet.”
“We’re delighted to expand our service at Ontario, making flying in the region, to Chicago or Florida both affordable and convenient for local travelers,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial, Frontier Airlines. “Frontier is committed to protecting the health and safety of our customers on every flight and this new service will adhere to Frontier’s highest health standards, including enhanced cleaning, temperature screenings for all passengers and required mask wearing.”
Ontario airport has recorded six straight months of passenger volume growth since air travel reached its low point in April when passenger levels declined by 93%. Having regained almost 50% of its passenger volume, ONT is experiencing a quicker recovery than any airport in California and most other U.S. airports. In October, Delta Air Lines launched twice-daily, nonstop flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“Ontario Airport has established itself as a premier aviation gateway and one of the aviation industry’s genuine success stories. We’re grateful for the support of our airline partners and are optimistic heading into 2021 that passenger traffic will continue to grow at a healthy rate,” said Alan Wapner, president of the OIAA Commission.
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.
Ontario 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)
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).
ONT will most likely end 2020 with about one-half the passenger volume it had in 2019
November 12, 2020
Ontario International Airport added 22,000 passengers in October, marking the sixth straight month of increases — despite coronavirus cases spiking — for a recovery rate outpacing all other airports in California, officials announced Thursday, Nov. 12.