Ontario International Airport expecting passenger volume at pre-pandemic levels for Thanksgiving travel

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Nov 18, 2021, 08:00 ET

ONTARIO, Calif., Nov. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials at Ontario International Airport (ONT) are expecting more than 180,000 passengers over the Thanksgiving holiday, nearly equaling the pre-pandemic passenger volumes from Thanksgiving 2019.

Based on current airline schedules, airport executives estimate 180,639 passengers will fly into and out of ONT during the 11-day holiday travel period from Friday, November 19 through Monday, November 29, 1.2% fewer compared with the same period in 2019. The high point will be Wednesday, November 24, when more than 19,000 air travelers are expected.

The holiday travel season is expected to get off to a strong start at Ontario International Airport.

Airlines operating at ONT are offering more than 209,000 seats, 2.8% fewer than the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2019, with more than 86% of those seats filled.

"We have been experiencing near pre-pandemic passenger volumes in recent months and we couldn't be happier to welcome our customers over Thanksgiving," said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners.

Pointing to the airport's robust pandemic recovery, Wapner said that airlines operating at ONT are offering nonstop service to 25 destinations this year which is six more than the summer of 2019. Included among them are such popular cities as Charlotte, Chicago (O'Hare International Airport), Honolulu, Houston (William P. Hobby Airport), Mexico City and San Salvador.

"As we return to near-normal travel routines, we look forward to delivering the same pre-pandemic hassle-free experience our customers had come to expect at Ontario," Wapner said.

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).

OIAA Media Contact:
Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527 [email protected]

SOURCE Ontario International Airport