Travel & Tourism
Domestic travel near full recovery; ONT September passenger volumes reached 97% of pre-COVID levels

Southern California’s Ontario International Airport is close to matching pre-pandemic passenger levels.
The number of passengers who moved through Ontario International Airport (ONT) in September increased more than 132% from 2020 and approached 97% of pre-pandemic levels, as the Southern California gateway moves closer to full recovery from the impact of COVID-19 on global air travel.
According to data compiled by the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), the airport welcomed more than 453,000 air travelers last month, more than double the September 2020 total of 195,000. Last month’s totals were just 3% behind the pre-pandemic levels in September 2019, when 469,000 passengers flew into or out of ONT.
Domestic and international traffic increased 130% and 242%, respectively, in September. When compared with September 2019, domestic travel was down just 1%, while international passenger volume was 47% lower.
Over the first nine months of 2021, total passenger volume exceeded 3 million, 59% higher than the same period last year and 24% lower than 2019. Domestic travel was 62% higher on a year-to-date basis while international volume was up 3%.
“Ontario International continues to be a bright spot in the aviation industry’s ongoing pandemic recovery,” said Curt Hagman, an OIAA commissioner and chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. “Having watched the transfer of ONT from the City of Los Angeles five years ago, I believed then just as I do now that we have the benefit of a broad and loyal customer base along with the ability to provide a hassle-free customer service experience in a vital gateway airport that is safe and secure.”
PassengerTotals | Sept.2021 | Sept.2020 | Change | YTD2021 | YTD2020 | Change |
Domestic | 440,947 | 191,467 | 130.3% | 2,980,026 | 1,840,964 | 61.9% |
International | 12,227 | 3,570 | 242.49% | 79,186 | 76,336 | 3.7% |
Total | 453,174 | 195,037 | 132.35% | 3,059,212 | 1,917,300 | 59.6% |
PassengerTotals | Sept.2021 | Sept.2019 | Change | YTD2021 | YTD2019 | Change |
Domestic | 440,947 | 446,169 | -1.17% | 2,980,026 | 3,838,865 | -22.4% |
International | 12,227 | 23,155 | -47.19 | 79,186 | 223,889 | -64.6% |
Total | 453,174 | 469,324 | -3.44 | 3,059,212 | 4,062,754 | -24.7% |
Shipments of air freight and mail in September totaled more than 70,000 tons, 9.4% lower than September last year, but 15.4% higher than 2019. For the first nine months of the year, total cargo volume was more than 644,000 tons, a 3.5% decline compared with 2020, but 15.6% higher than 2019.
“In addition to creating an airport which is attractive to our partner airlines and their passengers, we’ve made dramatic improvements on the cargo side with expanded and modern facilities which appeal to shippers,” Hagman said.
Air cargo(tonnage) Sept.2021 Sept.2020 Change YTD2021 YTD2020 Change Freight 66,380 75,862 -12.5% 609,952 651,809 -6.4% Mail 4,269 2,174 96.41% 34,426 15,780 118.2% Total 70,649 78,035 -9.46% 644,378 667,589 -3.5% Air cargo(tonnage) Sept.2021 Sept.2019 Change YTD2021 YTD2019 Change Freight 66,380 59,918 10.79% 609,952 539,062 13.2% Mail 4,269 1,271 235.87% 34,426 18,221 88.9% Total 70,649 61,189 15.46% 644,378 557,283 15.6%
Travel & Tourism
Ontario International Airport passenger count increased in February as cargo tonnage continues upward trend

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).
PassengerTotals | Feb2025 | Feb2024 | Change | YTD2025 | YTD2024 | Change |
Domestic | 414,286 | 413,413 | 0.2% | 849,205 | 837,990 | 1.3% |
International | 35,807 | 36,480 | -1.8% | 76,127 | 81,492 | -6.6% |
Total | 450,093 | 449,893 | 0.0% | 925,332 | 919,482 | 0.6% |
The air carriers with the greatest passenger shares in February were:
- Southwest Airlines (37.5%)
- American Airlines (16.1%)
- Frontier Airlines (10.7%)
- Delta Air Lines (9.1%)
- 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) Feb2025 Feb2024 Change YTD2025 YTD2024 Change Freight 50,606 53,922 -6.1% 103,029 110,691 -6.9% Mail 9,727 2,583 276.5% 20,630 5,244 293.4% Total 60,333 56,505 6.8% 123,659 115,935 6.7%
“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.
Travel & Tourism
Ontario International Airport Celebrates 47 Months of Continuous Passenger Growth

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.
Travel & Tourism
Ontario International Airport to welcome STARLUX as its newest airline partner in June 2025

Ontario International Airport (ONT) welcomed news from STARLUX Airlines that it will begin service between the Inland Empire and Taiwan in June.
The Taipei-based carrier will initiate nonstop service between ONT and Taipei, Taiwan (TPE) on June 2, 2025, with flights operating four times a week in both directions – Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Flights will depart from Terminal 4 at ONT at 11:10 p.m. local time and arrive at TPE at 4:15 a.m. two days later. Return flights will depart TPE at 8:05 p.m. local time and arrive at ONT’s International Arrivals Terminal at 5:05 p.m. on the same day.

STARLUX offers convenient connections at its TPE hub to many destinations in East and Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Hong Kong, and will serve the ONT route with Airbus A350-900 equipped with 306 seats: four first class; 26 business class; 36 premium economy; and 240 economy.
“We are most grateful to STARLUX Airlines for its confidence in our airport, employees and community neighbors,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners. “Greater Ontario is the gateway to Southern California – a premier destination served by one of the fastest-growing and most popular airports in the United States. We look forward to welcoming STARLUX travelers to the convenience of ONT and all that our great region has to offer.”
The announcement comes just weeks after ONT announced that the number of international travelers in 2024 was the highest in the airport’s history, growing 5.1% to 438,896.
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