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

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Oct 13, 2021, 08:00 ET

ONTARIO, Calif., Oct. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

Southern California's Ontario International Airport is close to matching pre-pandemic passenger levels.

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 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."

Passenger Totals	Sept. 2021	Sept. 2020	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	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%
Passenger Totals	Sept. 2021	Sept. 2019	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	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	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	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	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	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%

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 which, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan. 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 Mayor Pro Tem 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).