International travel drives February growth at Ontario International Airport

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Mar 22, 2019, 12:00 ET

ONTARIO, Calif., March 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 363,000 airline passengers moved through Southern California's Ontario International Airport (ONT) in February, an increase of 2.7%, or roughly 10,000 travelers, over the same month last year. The increase was driven by a 188% jump in international travelers.

The number of international passengers rose to more than 20,000 last month, from 7,000 in February 2018. Meanwhile, the number of domestic travelers decreased slightly from almost 347,000 to approximately 343,000, a change of slightly more than 1%.

A large increase in international travelers drove overall passenger growth at ONT by 2.7% in February

"Ontario continues to prove itself a viable international gateway in Southern California," said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. "While we might see minor fluctuations in domestic travel from time to time for reasons not unique to Ontario, international customers are choosing the ease of access, convenience and amenities that have become hallmarks of America's fastest-growing aviation gateway."

Air cargo declined by 2.6% in February to 51,200 tons from 52,600 tons in February last year. Commercial freight decreased from more than 50,000 tons to 49,000 tons while mail shipments were essentially flat at 2,100 tons.

Thorpe noted that the summer travel season is expected to be busy at ONT since several major air carriers have announced new flights beginning in June. Delta Air Lines will launch daily non-stop service to its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; United Airlines will begin one flight a day to its Texas hub, George Bush Intercontinental Airport; and Southwest Airlines will add new service to San Francisco International Airport with four daily flights.

Southwest will also add a third daily flight (Monday-Friday) to Denver International Airport in June.

	February 2019	February 2018	% Change	YTD 2019	YTD 2018	% Change
Passenger Traffic
Domestic	343,205	346,877	-1.1%	712,482	709,112	0.5%
International	20,221	7,006	188.6%	47,150	19,748	138.8%
Total	363,426	353,883	2.7%	759,632	728,860	4.2%
Air Cargo (Tons)
Freight	49,159	50,449	-2.6%	107,405	105,503	1.8%
Mail	2,127	2,182	-2.5%	4,413	4,399	0.3%
Total	51,286	52,631	-2.6%	111,818	109,902	1.7%

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 19 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.
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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).

News Media Contacts:
Atif Elkadi, Deputy Executive Director, (858) 361-9319 [email protected]
Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527 [email protected]

SOURCE Ontario International Airport