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American Airlines: Ontario, CA, to Chicago O’Hare twice a day starting in August

American Airlines announced it will begin service from Ontario International Airport to Chicago in August

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American Airlines announced it will begin service from Ontario International Airport to Chicago in August.

American Airlines announced it will begin service from Ontario International Airport (ONT) to Chicago in August, yet another milestone in the Southern California airport’s steady recovery from the coronavirus pandemic which continues to depress air travel around the world.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier began ticket sales today for the twice-a-day flights between ONT and O’Hare International Airport (ORD), a growing hub in the American’s system. The new flights to begin August 17 will depart ONT at 11:40 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. with ONT arrivals scheduled for 12:14 p.m. and 10:39 p.m.

“It is welcome news that American and other air carriers are including Ontario in their recovery plans, but it is not a surprise,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “Ontario was the fastest growing U.S. airport before the COVID-19 pandemic’s sudden and severe impact on global air travel. It is now the fastest-recovering airport in California and the third-quickest to restore flight services in the U.S.”

Flight
#
OriginDestinationDepartsArrives
877ONTORD11:40a5:48p
910ONTORD11:30p*5:38a
977ORDONT9:55a12:14p
910ORDONT8:20p10:39p

*Overnight/red-eye service (All times local)

The carrier, which flies to Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth from Terminal 4 at ONT, will serve the Chicago O’Hare route with Boeing 737-800 aircraft equipped to accommodate 172 passengers in a three-class cabin with 16 in First-Class, 30 in Main Cabin Extra and 126 in Main Cabin.

The number of passengers who traveled through ONT in 2020 totaled 2.5 million, about half as many as the year before. Many airports around the world saw passenger volume decline by 60%.

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.

Ontario airport has been recognized three times since last summer for understanding and meeting the needs of its customers during the pandemic.

“We applaud the efforts of our extraordinary team during what has been a challenging year for the travel industry,” said Alan D. Wapner, President of the OIAA Board of Commissioners and Mayor pro Tem for the City of Ontario. “With the support of our airline and business partners, 2021 is shaping up to be a great year for ONT as we meet the needs of this vibrant region we serve.”

The Inland Empire Business Journal (IEBJ) is the official business news publication of Southern California’s Inland Empire region - covering San Bernardino & Riverside Counties.

Travel & Tourism

Ontario International Airport expects 2.2 million passengers during summer travel season

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Ontario International Airport officials expect 2.22 million passengers this summer, 1.7% more than last year, as airlines add flights to 12 popular U.S. and international destinations.

“As Southern California’s gateway to the world, ONT is ready to welcome another record-setting summer travel season,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “Our airport continues to earn the trust of both passengers and airline partners by delivering a world-class, stress-free experience that reflects the spirit of our community. With more flights, more destinations, and more options than ever before, ONT is strengthening its role as a key player in the region’s air travel landscape.

The summer travel season begins Friday, May 23, before the Memorial Day weekend and extends through Labor Day, Monday, September 1.

Summer 2025EstimatedPassengersVersus2024Estimated SeatsVersus 2024
Totals2,221,061+1.7%2,854,6873.4%

The estimated passenger volumes include:

  • 663,959 in June
  • 672,034 in July
  • 671,274 in August

ONT airlines will begin new service, restore previous flights or increase service this summer to 12 popular domestic and international destinations.

Domestic DestinationsAir CarrierFrequency/Start Date
Baltimore/Washington (BWI)Southwest AirlinesDaily service starts June 5
Chicago/O’Hare (ORD)United AirlinesDaily service starts May 22
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)American Airlines7 daily (up from 6)
Frontier Airlines6-times weekly
New York (JFK)JetBlueDaily service resumes April 30
Sacramento (SMF)Southwest Airlines7 daily (up from 5)
Salt Lake City (SLC)Delta Air Lines4 daily (up from 3)
Seattle (SEA)Alaska Airlines5 daily (up from 4)
Delta Air Lines4 daily
Frontier Airlines1 daily
International DestinationsAir CarrierFrequency/Start Date
Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL)Volaris2 daily (up from 1)
León, Mexico (BJX)Volaris3-times weekly service starts July 4
Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD)VolarisDaily service starts July 4
Morelia, Mexico (MLM)Volaris4-times weekly service starts July 5
Taipei (TPE)STARLUX Airlines4-times weekly service starts June 2

Airlines are offering more than 2.8 million seats in and out of ONT this summer, with 77.8% expected to be occupied. The number of seats available this year is 3.4% higher than last summer.

Elkadi noted other customer-friendly aspects of the ONT experience such as curbside access for ride-share services; access to premium Aspire Lounges; 3Sixty Duty-Free shopping; competitively priced hourly, daily and valet parking near passenger terminals and discounts on-airport parking when reservations are pre-booked.

Officials reminded domestic travelers the deadline for Real ID-enabled driver’s licenses is May 7, 2025. Motorists can get driving, parking and terminal information 24/7 by listening to ONT Radio at 620AM and streaming here.

“Southern California shines in the summer, and Ontario International Airport is the perfect starting point for any adventure. From our world-famous beaches to stunning mountain escapes, desert resorts, and vibrant cultural attractions, ONT offers travelers easy access to everything that makes this region a top global destination.” Elkadi added

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Travel & Tourism

Ontario International Airport passenger count increased in February as cargo tonnage continues upward trend

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Ontario International Airport (ONT) saw a slight increase in passengers in February compared with the same month in the prior year, despite one fewer day due to Leap Year in 2024.  Adjusting for the shorter month in 2025, ONT passenger volume was 3.6% higher than February 2024.

According to ONT officials, 450,093 air travelers chose the Southern California gateway last month versus 449,893 last year. Ontario’s domestic passenger count totaled 414,286, a 0.2% increase, while international volume decreased by 1.8% to 35,807.

Over the first two months of the year, ONT passenger traffic was 0.6% higher, with domestic volume up 1.3% while the number of international travelers was lower by 6.6%

“We continue to prove that we are the aviation gateway Southern California deserves. Even with a shorter month, we saw growth, an achievement that speaks to our resilience, strong demand, and the trust travelers and airlines place in us. With new service launching to Chicago and Baltimore/Washington as well as four international destinations in Mexico and Asia, ONT is not just keeping up; we are setting the stage for even greater success in 2025 and beyond,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA).

PassengerTotalsFeb2025Feb2024ChangeYTD2025YTD2024Change
Domestic414,286413,4130.2%849,205837,9901.3%
International35,80736,480-1.8%76,12781,492-6.6%
Total450,093449,8930.0%925,332919,4820.6%

The air carriers with the greatest passenger shares in February were:

  1. Southwest Airlines (37.5%)
  2. American Airlines (16.1%)
  3. Frontier Airlines (10.7%)
  4. Delta Air Lines (9.1%)
  5. United Airlines (8.6%)

Air cargo increased by 6.8% in February, driven by shipments of mail which grew by more than 276%. Freight shipments for the month decreased 6.1%. For the year, freight and mail combined rose by 6.7%.

Air cargo(tonnage)Feb2025Feb2024ChangeYTD2025YTD2024Change
Freight50,60653,922-6.1%103,029110,691-6.9%
Mail9,7272,583276.5%20,6305,244293.4%
Total60,33356,5056.8%123,659115,9356.7%

“Ontario prides itself on first rate cargo facilities and operational excellence which makes our Inland Empire airport a hub of choice for cargo shippers,” Elkadi said.

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Travel & Tourism

Ontario International Airport Celebrates 47 Months of Continuous Passenger Growth

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New Air Services and Strong Cargo Performance Propel ONT’s Growth in Early 2025

Ontario International Airport (ONT) has marked a significant achievement, recording its 47th straight month of passenger growth. In January 2025, passenger volume at ONT rose by 1.2%, with over 475,000 travelers compared to 469,000 in January 2024.

The airport saw an increase in domestic travelers, with nearly 435,000 passengers representing a 2.4% rise from the previous year. However, international traffic experienced a decrease, down 10% to just over 40,000 passengers.

Atif Elkadi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), expressed optimism about the future. “We’re kicking off the new year with incredible momentum, as more travelers continue to choose ONT. With several exciting new air service announcements from our airline partners, 2025 is set to be a year of substantial growth, opportunity, and enhanced connectivity for our community.”

Looking ahead, ONT is poised to introduce several new travel options. This summer, passengers will benefit from daily flights to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and Chicago/O’Hare (ORD) via Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, respectively. Additionally, international service expansions include STARLUX Airlines commencing four-times weekly flights to Taipei (TPE) in June and Volaris launching routes to three more cities in Mexico in July, including a daily flight from ONT to Los Cabos (SJD).

Passenger Totals for January 2025 vs. January 2024:

  • Domestic: 434,919 (2.4% increase)
  • International: 40,320 (10.4% decrease)
  • Total: 475,239 (1.2% increase)

Top carriers for passenger volume in January included Southwest Airlines (35.1%), American Airlines (15.3%), Frontier Airlines (11.6%), Delta Air Lines (9.3%), and United Airlines (8.8%).

In terms of cargo, ONT experienced a 6.6% overall increase in January 2025. This growth was driven largely by a more than 300% increase in mail shipments, although freight shipments saw a decline of 7.7%.

Air Cargo Performance for January 2025 vs. January 2024:

  • Freight: 52,423 tons (-7.7%)
  • Mail: 10,903 tons (309.8% increase)
  • Total: 63,326 tons (6.6% increase)

Elkadi highlighted ONT’s expanding role in both passenger and cargo transport. “Ontario International Airport continues to solidify its position as one of the nation’s fastest-growing passenger airports and a top ten cargo hub, reinforcing our vital role in regional and global travel,” he said.

ONT remains committed to enhancing its facilities and services to support the region’s economic growth and meet the evolving needs of travelers and businesses alike.

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