Travel & Tourism
Ontario Airport passenger volume up more than 10% in July; number of fliers for the year surpassed 3 million

News Release — ONTARIO, Calif., Aug. 14, 2019 — The number of commercial air passengers who traveled through Ontario International Airport (ONT) in July increased by more than 10% compared to July 2018, continuing a trend of strong, steady growth at the nation’s fastest-growing airport.
The total number of passengers grew to nearly 495,000, an increase of 10.4%. Almost 468,000 were domestic passengers while international travelers totaled nearly 27,000, increases of 10.1% and 15.7%, respectively, according to the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA).
In July, Ontario Airport also surpassed the 3 million passenger mark for the year, a 7% increase over the first seven months of last year. From January through July, domestic passenger volume topped 2.9 million, an increase of 5.4% over the same period a year ago while the number of international travelers grew by nearly 50% to more than 175,000.
“Ontario continues to be a magnet for commercial air service for domestic and international passengers in the greater Los Angeles area,” said Mark Thorpe, OIAA chief executive officer. “We are heartened by the positive responses of our customers to our ongoing efforts to create an appealing international aviation gateway for Southern California, one which meets the needs of business and leisure travelers alike.”
This summer daily, nonstop service has been added to popular aviation hubs in Atlanta, Houston and San Francisco.
Air cargo shipments, meanwhile, grew modestly in July by nearly 2% to more than 64,000 tons. During the first seven months of the year, cargo volume totaled almost 429,000 tons, up 3.4% from the same period last year.
Said Alan D. Wapner, OIAA President: “Along with our continued strong increase in passenger volumes, the steady growth in cargo reaffirms how important ONT is to our region’s economy. Having a great airport has helped the Inland Empire become a global center for e-commerce, and an emerging hub for healthcare, technology and advanced manufacturing – creating jobs and economic opportunity for the region as a whole.”
July 2019 | July 2018 | % Change | YTD 2019 | YTD 2018 | % Change | |
Passenger Traffic | ||||||
Domestic | 467,990 | 424,982 | 10.1% | 2,913,914 | 2,765,627 | 5.4% |
International | 26,976 | 23,317 | 15.7% | 175,414 | 117,715 | 49.0% |
Total | 494,966 | 448,299 | 10.4% | 3,089,328 | 2,883,342 | 7.1% |
Air Cargo (Tons) | ||||||
Freight | 62,563 | 60,734 | 3.0% | 413,631 | 397,167 | 4.1% |
1,780 | 2,470 | -27.9% | 15,363 | 17,676 | -13.1% | |
Total | 64,343 | 63,204 | 1.8% | 428,994 | 414,844 | 3.4% |
About Ontario International Airport
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).
Travel & Tourism
FAA Awards Ontario International Airport another $10.77 million for taxiway, airfield improvements

Ontario International Airport has received an additional $10.77 million in infrastructure funding from the FAA.
Ontario International Airport will receive another $10.77 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to invest in infrastructure improvements at the aviation gateway of choice for millions of Southern Californians.
The FAA announced this week that it is awarding a total of $518 million to airports across the country, under its 2022 Airport Improvement Program. ONT will receive the largest amount within California – for taxiway improvements and expanding the lighting vault that serves the airport’s runways.
The announcement comes less than a year after ONT was awarded $12.68 million through the FAA and the American Rescue Plan Act for taxiway and runway improvements.
“I’m grateful to our staff for preparing a successful funding application and to the FAA for continuing to bring infrastructure and airfield improvement dollars to the fastest-growing passenger airport in the U.S.,” said Alan D. Wapner, President of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Ontario.
ONT has been one of the aviation industry’s great success stories, eclipsing pre-pandemic passenger volumes and ranking among the Top 10 cargo airports in North America. The airport also plays a critical role in the Inland Empire’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing population centers in the United States and a global supply chain hub.
“In communities of all sizes, airports are vital to local economies, sustaining jobs and getting people and goods where they need to go,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in announcing this week’s funding awards. “We’re pleased to announce this important funding to help improve airports around the country and better serve all Americans.”
Travel & Tourism
Ontario International Airport passenger volume exceeds pre-pandemic levels for second straight month in April

Traveler count grew 7% over 2019 level with domestic volume up 10%
The number of passengers who traveled through Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) in April was nearly 7% above the April 2019 total, beating pre-pandemic levels for the second straight month, officials announced today.
Total ONT passenger volume was almost 476,000 last month, 6.92% more than April three years ago. The number of domestic travelers increased by 9.65% to more than 461,000.
Passenger traffic increased by 4% in March compared with the same month in 2019.
“Demand for air travel through Ontario International remained strong in April as passengers took to the airways for spring break vacations and to visit friends and family for religious holidays. Ontario International was rapidly growing before the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is not a surprise that we’re among the quickest to recover,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners.
From January through April, total passenger volume was more than 1.62 million, within a percentage point of the total from the first four months of 2019. The number of domestic passengers was 1.57 million, an increase of 1.6%.
Passenger Totals |
April 2022 |
April 2019 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2019 |
Change |
Domestic |
461,300 |
420,699 |
9.65% |
1,571,080 |
1,545,621 |
1.6% |
International |
14,441 |
24,249 |
-40.45% |
56,300 |
95,660 |
-41.1% |
Total |
475,741 |
444,948 |
6.92% |
1,627,380 |
1,641,281 |
-0.8% |
Passenger Totals |
April 2022 |
April 2021 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2021 |
Change |
Domestic |
461,300 |
295,186 |
56.27% |
1,571,080 |
847,680 |
85.3% |
International |
14,441 |
3,598 |
301.36% |
56,300 |
14,748 |
281.7% |
Total |
475,741 |
298,784 |
59.23% |
1,627,380 |
862,428 |
88.7% |
Air cargo shipments also remained strong in April at 67,000 tons, 8.6% greater than April in 2019. On a year-to-date basis, shipments of freight and mail combined were 15.5% higher than the January through April period in 2019, at nearly 270,000 tons.
Air cargo (tonnage) |
April 2022 |
April 2019 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2019 |
Change |
Freight |
62,291 |
59,359 |
4.94% |
250,623 |
224,346 |
11.7% |
|
4,860 |
2,454 |
98.05% |
19,068 |
9,192 |
107.4% |
Total |
67,152 |
61,813 |
8.64% |
269,692 |
233,539 |
15.5% |
Air cargo (tonnage) |
April 2022 |
April 2021 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2021 |
Change |
Freight |
62,291 |
70,422 |
-11.55% |
250,623 |
278,143 |
-9.9% |
|
4,860 |
4,085 |
18.98% |
19,068 |
14,383 |
32.6% |
Total |
67,152 |
74,508 |
-9.87 |
269,692 |
292,526 |
-7.8% |
“Ontario International remains a point of pride as an increasingly popular passenger gateway in Southern California and attractive hub for e-commerce,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the OIAA. “With our growing customer base in the Inland Empire, support of our community neighbors and strong political will of our city and county leaders, I am confident Ontario International will continue to attract new and increased flights from passenger and cargo air carriers.”
Travel & Tourism
Ontario International Airport achieves milestone in March as passenger volume exceeded pre-pandemic level

March passenger total 4% higher than March 2019; cargo shipments up 22%
Ontario International Airport (ONT) officials had eagerly awaited a month in which passenger volume would be higher than the same month before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the wait is over as the Southern California airport welcomed 454,000 air travelers last month, 4% more than in March 2019.
“Ontario is setting the pace of recovery among airports in California and, as a result, it is an attractive metropolitan gateway for airlines restarting suspended services and establishing new routes as public health restrictions ease and demand for air travel increases,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners.
Domestic passengers totaled 439,531 last month, while the number of international travelers was almost 15,000, increases of 71% and 446%, respectively, compared with March of last year. The total number of ONT passengers was 75% higher in March.
Most importantly, domestic and international passenger volume combined was 3.97% higher in March compared with March 2019. Domestic travel increased more than 6.5% to 439,531 while international volume was 40% lower at 14,492.
“The March passenger numbers are a tremendous achievement for our airport and airline partners, launching Ontario International’s pandemic recovery to an even higher level. We can’t say for sure what the coming months will bring, but the March passenger count shows what full recovery looks like,” said OIAA Chief Executive Officer Atif Elkadi,
The emergence of ONT as an increasingly popular aviation gateway comes as the Inland Empire experiences a steady influx of new residents, particularly from the coastal areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties, drawn by employment opportunities, available housing and high quality of life. According to U.S. Census data, San Bernardino and Riverside counties have experienced the fifth-largest population gain among the top 50 metro areas in the U.S.
Passenger
Totals |
March 2022 |
March 2021 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2021 |
Change |
Domestic |
439,531 |
256,837 |
71.13% |
1,109,780 |
552,494 |
100.9% |
International |
14,492 |
2,654 |
446.04% |
41,859 |
11,150 |
275.4% |
Total |
454,023 |
259,491 |
74.97% |
1,151,639 |
563,644 |
104.3% |
From January through March, the number of passengers who traveled through ONT doubled compared to the same period last year. The first quarter figures were 3.7% lower than 2019.
Passenger
Totals |
March 2022 |
March 2019 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2019 |
Change |
Domestic |
439,531 |
412,440 |
6.57% |
1,109,780 |
1,124,922 |
-1.3.% |
International |
14,492 |
24,261 |
-40.27% |
41,859 |
71,411 |
-41.4% |
Total |
454,023 |
436,701 |
3.97% |
1,151,639 |
1,196,333 |
-3.7% |
Shipments of air cargo likewise remained strong in March compared with March 2019, increasing by 22%. On a year-to-date basis, shipments of freight and mail combined were 18% higher than the first quarter of 2019 as the Inland Empire continued to be a hub for commercial freight movement.
Compared to 2021, March and year-to-date cargo shipments decreased 6.5% and 7%, respectively.
Air cargo
(tonnage) |
March 2022 |
March 2021 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2021 |
Change |
Freight |
67,795 |
74,367 |
-8.84% |
188,332 |
207,720 |
-9.3% |
5,303 |
3,828 |
38.54% |
14,208 |
10,298 |
38.0% |
|
Total |
73,098 |
78,195 |
-6.52% |
202,540 |
218,019 |
-7.1% |
Air cargo
(tonnage) |
March 2022 |
March 2019 |
Change |
YTD 2022 |
YTD 2019 |
Change |
Freight |
67,795 |
57,582 |
17.74% |
188,332 |
164,988 |
14.1% |
5,303 |
2,325 |
128.06% |
14,208 |
6,738 |
110.9% |
|
Total |
73,098 |
59,907 |
22.02% |
202,540 |
171,725 |
17.9% |
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