March 22, 2021
(Ontario, California – March 22, 2021) – Shipments of air freight continued to drive commercial activity at Ontario International Airport (ONT) in February, continuing to grow by double-digits, while passenger volumes remained soft.
For the month, freight volume totaled more than 62,800 tons, up 14.3% over February 2020.
For the first two months of the year, air freight totaled more than 133,000 tons, almost 15% higher than the same period in 2020. Shipments of mail more than doubled to 6,400 tons.
“Our airport continues to be a bright reflection of the Inland Empire’s skilled labor force and vibrant economy in 2021,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “Despite the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel and other sectors of the economy, freight shipments through Ontario continue to show tremendous strength and make the airport a focal point of Southern California’s goods movement industry.”
| Air cargo (tonnage) |
February 2021 |
February 2020 |
Change |
YTD 2021 |
YTD 2020 |
Change |
| Freight |
62,806 |
55,029 |
14.13% |
133,353 |
116,056 |
14.9% |
| Mail |
3,246 |
1,431 |
126.84% |
6,471 |
3,018 |
114.4% |
| Total |
66,052 |
56,460 |
16.99% |
139,824 |
119,074 |
17.4% |
Passenger volume continued to feel the pandemic’s impact as 152,000 air travelers moved through ONT in February, 63% less than the total from February of last year. More than 150,000 were domestic passengers and 2,000 were international fliers, declines of 62% and 90%, respectively.
On a year-to-date basis, the number of ONT passengers decreased 65% to 304,000. Domestic travel declined 64% to more than 295,000 while international passenger volume was off more than 83% to nearly 8,500.
| Passenger Totals |
February 2021 |
February 2020 |
Change |
YTD 2021 |
YTD 2020 |
Change |
| Domestic |
150,272 |
399,086 |
-62.35% |
295,657 |
822,729 |
-64.1% |
| International |
2,021 |
20,869 |
-90.32% |
8,496 |
51,765 |
-83.6% |
| Total |
152,293 |
419,955 |
-63.74% |
304,153 |
874,494 |
-65.2% |
Thorpe noted, however, that new air services and resumption of suspended flights in coming months bodes well for ONT’s recovery. Already this month, American Airlines announced it will begin nonstop service to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. Last week, Hawaiian Airlines launched its new service between ONT and Honolulu – one of nearly a dozen popular U.S. destinations that are being initiated or restarted. The first service from ONT to Central America also will begin this summer.
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).
March 15, 2021
(Ontario, California – March 15, 2021) – For the second time this month, American Airlines announced it is adding more new service from Ontario International Airport (ONT), a nonstop flight to North Carolina’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) beginning in May.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier is already selling tickets for the daily flights from the Inland Empire to Charlotte, a prominent hub in the American’s system and gateway to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.
Service on the new seasonal route begins May 6, continuing through August 16, with the ONT departure scheduled for 9:45 p.m. A return flight arrives ONT at 8:24 p.m.
| Flight# |
Origin |
Destination |
Departs |
Arrives |
| 1415 |
ONT |
CLT |
9:45 p.m. |
5:27 a.m. |
| 1515 |
CLT |
ONT |
6:15 p.m. |
8:24 a.m. |
| *Overnight/red-eye service (All times local) |
American announced earlier this month that it will begin flights twice a day between ONT and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in August. The carrier also flies to Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth from Terminal 4 at ONT.
“We are enormously grateful to American Airlines for showing such confidence in Ontario,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “We have worked hard throughout the pandemic to be ready for a return to more normal travel routines and, while there is still a way to go, it is encouraging that air carriers are making Ontario a focus of their recovery plans.”
American will serve the Charlotte route with Boeing 737-800 aircraft equipped to accommodate 172 passengers with 16 in First-Class, 30 in Main Cabin Extra and 126 in Main Cabin.
In addition to American, airlines operating at ONT resumed or initiated new service to five destinations including Atlanta, Chicago (Midway), Houston (Intercontinental and Hobby), Seattle and Mexico City in the second half of 2020 while plans were announced for flights to another nine markets by Spring including Chicago (O’Hare), Honolulu, Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento and San Francisco. Colombia-based Avianca Airlines will begin service to El Salvador this summer, the first to Central America from the Inland Empire.
Hawaiian Airlines, which will begin service this Wednesday from ONT to Honolulu five days a week, announced it will fly the route seven days a week during the summer.
Ontario airport has been recognized three times since last summer for understanding and meeting the needs of its customers during the pandemic.
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).
March 11, 2021
(Ontario, California – March 11, 2021) – The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) has announced a major advertising and sponsorship agreement with the Walters Automotive Group, exclusive agents for Porsche and Audi in the City of Ontario.
The 12-month partnership agreement – the first under OIAA’s new in-house advertising agency – will include creative use of digital and static advertising at Ontario International Airport (ONT), car placement in the terminals, special events for VIP clients and many soon-to-be announced customer interface activities.
“We’re especially pleased to partner with the Walters Automotive Group – a great Ontario-based business – as we launch this exciting new opportunity for companies to market themselves at the fastest-growing airport in the U.S.,” said Alan D. Wapner, President of the OIAA Board of Commissioners and Mayor pro Tem for the City of Ontario. “Our new in-house agency is committed to understanding and proposing advertising solutions that meet our clients’ objectives, and engaging our customers and visitors in creative and innovative ways.”
Mark Marchant, General Manager of Porsche Ontario, described the agreement as a new direction for advertising the Walter’s Automotive Group’s dealerships throughout Southern California. “Our team is very excited at having great exposure and bringing some unforgettable unique experiences for our clients at Ontario International Airport,” Marchant said.
Added Greg Sexton General Manager of Audi Ontario, “This partnership reinforces the growth of Audi and Porsche in the region, alongside all the exciting new developments at the airport.”
Wapner said the in-house agency and Walter’s partnership are the first of a number of initiatives in the coming months that will focus on adding value to the advertiser over and above the standard digital and static platforms.
OIAA is in the final stages of awarding an RFP to build its own omni-channel retail sales and distribution network, and will be launching multiple popup stores that will create greater flexibility for promotional activities, product launches and consumer interaction.
For further information about the Walter’s Automotive Group’s Ontario dealerships, please go to www.PorscheOntario.com or www.AudiOntario.com.
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).
March 5, 2021
(Ontario, California – March 5, 2021) – Ontario International Airport (ONT) announced today it is working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding a temporary cease in contraflow flight times due to the Taxiway Sierra Rehabilitation Project.
Phase one of the Taxiway Sierra project began on March 2 and is expected to conclude in October. The six-phase project is a critical element in ensuring safe airport operations for years to come.
“ONT is in frequent communication with our FAA partners, and will continually seek opportunities to limit the impact on our surrounding communities by reintroducing contraflow whenever possible,” said Bruce Atlas, chief operating officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority.
ONT’s and FAA’s contraflow system redirects flight takeoffs to the east during the nighttime and early morning hours to reduce noise over residential neighborhoods.
“ONT understands that temporarily ceasing contraflow flight times might create additional noise over some neighborhoods and we appreciate the community’s support and understanding as this vital runway work is completed. We remain vigilant in our commitment to safeguarding nearby neighborhoods and being a strong community partner,” Atlas said.
For more information on contra-flow procedures, please visit the FAA’s Ontario Community Involvement page.FAA’s Ontario Community Involvement page.
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).