February 16, 2021
(Ontario, California – February 16, 2021) – Ontario International Airport (ONT) began 2021 just as it closed out 2020, with a double-digit increase in commercial freight volume while the COVID-19 pandemic continued to depress passenger numbers.
January freight volume totaled more than 70,500 tons, a 15.6% increase compared to the same month last year and extending a trend of robust cargo shipments as Southern Californians continued to rely heavily on e-commerce to keep their households and businesses supplied. At the same time, shipments of mail more than doubled year-over-year to 3,225 tons.
“Cargo continued to be a source of strength in January like it was for all of 2020,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “Freight shippers continued to show great confidence in our ability to provide the infrastructure and facilities they needed to meet increasing demands on the e-commerce supply chain.”
January’s cargo volume continued a trend of double-digit growth at ONT, a leading North American carbo hub which saw freight tonnage increase by 10% or more in 10 different months last year.
In November, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. completed a $100 million investment in its ONT facilities, the centerpiece of which is a 251,000 square-foot complex with a sorting facility capable of handling 12,000 packages per hour, nine wide-body aircraft gates, 14 feeder aircraft gates and 18 truck docks.
| Air Cargo (Tonnage) |
January 2021 |
January 2020 |
Change |
| Freight |
70,547 |
61,027 |
15.60% |
| Mail |
3,225 |
1,587 |
103.23% |
| Total |
73,772 |
62,614 |
17.82% |
Meanwhile, passenger volume continued to be impacted by the pandemic as nearly 152,000 air travelers moved through ONT in January, 66% less than January 2020. More than 145,000 were domestic passengers and 6,475 were international fliers, decreases of 65% and 79%, respectively.
Thorpe expressed a note of optimism for higher passenger traffic this year, pointing out that airlines operating at ONT have announced plans to restart or initiate new flights to nine U.S. destinations by May while Colombia-based Avianca Airlines will begin service to El Salvador this summer. The Avianca route will be the first to Central America from the Inland Empire.
| Passenger Totals |
January 2021 |
January 2020 |
Change |
| Domestic |
145,385 |
423,643 |
-65.68% |
| International |
6,475 |
30,896 |
-79.04% |
| Total |
151,860 |
454,539 |
-66.59% |
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).
February 11, 2021
February 8, 2021
(Ontario, California – February 8, 2021) – For the second time in less than a month and third time since September, Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) was recognized for dedication to its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing to deliver a high-quality customer service experience, a significant achievement given the impact of the pandemic on global air travel.
The “Voice of the Customer” honor bestowed by Airports Council International (ACI) World, the leading trade association for airports worldwide, recognizes airports which continued to “prioritize their customers and remained committed to ensuring that their voice was heard during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.”
According to ACI, ONT made significant efforts in gathering passenger feedback which enabled the Inland Empire airport to gain a deeper understanding of its customers’ needs and expectations while delivering a superior customer experience under trying circumstances.
“For much of the past year, we have operated in unchartered territory, but our team of professionals adjusted course, connected with passengers and remained focused on delivering the first-rate airport experience our customers have come to expect,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority.
“At the onset of the pandemic, we quickly enhanced protocols to keep our passenger facilities clean, adopted protocols in consultation with public health authorities and worked tirelessly to reassure our customers that they are safe in our airport."
“We are grateful for the loyalty of our customers and recognition from leaders in our industry,” Thorpe added.
The latest honor completes a triple crown for ONT for its work to engage customers, enhance airport procedures and continue to deliver excellence in customer service in the midst of ongoing challenges never before experienced by the aviation industry.
In January, the Montreal-based ACI recognized ONT with The Airport Health Accreditation, for providing a safe airport experience for all travelers in line with recommended health measures and helping to reassure the travelling public that precautions are being taken to reduce any risk to their health.
Last August, ONT earned ACI’s prestigious Customer Service Experience Accreditation for its ability to identify and understand the needs and expectations of airline passengers and airport visitors, all the while enhancing the customer service experience. The Southern California aviation gateway was one of just nine airports in North America – and the only Los Angeles-area airport – to earn the distinction.
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).
February 1, 2021
(Ontario, California – February 1, 2021) – Ontario International Airport (ONT) officials welcomed today’s announcement from Avianca Airlines that it will begin service between ONT and El Salvador this summer. The new route will be the first service from the Inland Empire to Central America.
The Bogota, Colombia-based carrier will operate three flights a week from ONT to San Salvador International Airport (SAL) in the capital city of El Salvador, beginning in early July.
“We are thrilled to welcome Avianca to Ontario,” said Alan D. Wapner, Mayor pro Tem of the City of Ontario and President of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners. “Our international gateway airport and the Inland Empire have much to offer and we are confident that Avianca will quickly realize the benefits of bringing new service to Ontario.”
A member of the Star Alliance, Avianca will operate from Terminal 2 at ONT and serve the ONT-SAL route with Airbus 319 aircraft, accommodating as many as 120 passengers in business and economy class seating.
| Flight # |
Origin |
Destination |
Departure |
Arrival |
Frequency |
Aircraft |
| 531 |
ONT |
SAL |
1:15 a.m. |
7:05 a.m. |
Tue, Thu, Sat |
A319 |
| 530 |
SAL |
ONT |
7:10 p.m. |
11:30 p.m. |
Wed, Fri, Sun |
A319/320 |
*All times local
Mark Thorpe, chief executive office of the OIAA, sounded an optimistic tone in noting, “Ontario is experiencing the quickest recovery among California airports, and third fastest among airports in the U.S., since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. While domestic travel accounts for much of ONT’s recovery, it will be particularly gratifying to add Avianca’s international service.”
Airlines operating at ONT have announced plans to restart or initiate new flights to nine U.S. destinations by May. Meanwhile, international carrier Volaris began nonstop service from ONT to its Mexico City base in November.
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).