Passenger traffic more than doubled at Ontario International Airport in October - to 98% of pre-pandemic level

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Nov 16, 2021, 08:00 ET

ONTARIO, Calif., Nov. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of air passengers who traveled through Ontario International Airport (ONT) more than doubled in October from the year before, and reached 98% of the passenger level in October 2019 as the gateway airport continued its impressive pandemic recovery.

Based on airline data compiled by the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), ONT welcomed more than 494,000 air travelers last month, an increase of 127% compared with October 2020 and just 1.95% less than October 2019.

Passenger volumes at Ontario International Airport continued to push toward pre-pandemic levels in October.

Domestic travel grew 125% to 481,000 passengers in October while international volume exceeded 13,000, an increase of 215%. When compared with October 2019, domestic travel was 0.27% higher last month while international passenger volume was 46% lower.

From January through October, total passenger volume surpassed 3.5 million, 66% higher than the same period last year. The numbers of domestic and international travelers increased by 68% and 14%, respectively.

Compared with the first 10 months of 2019, total passenger volume was 22% lower. Domestic and international passenger volume decreased by 20% and 63%, respectively.

"The resurgence of air travel in Southern California is most evident at Ontario International which is experiencing the quickest pandemic recovery among airports its size and larger," said Curt Hagman, an OIAA commissioner and chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. "As demand for domestic air travel grows, airlines and air passengers are showing their confidence in our ability to provide an aviation environment that is safe and secure and a customer experience that is world class."

Passenger Totals	Oct. 2021	Oct. 2020	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	Change
Domestic	481,635	213,773	125.30%	3,461,661	2,054,737	68.5%
International	13,092	4,149	215.55%	92,278	80,485	14.7%
Total	494,727	217,922	127.02%	3,553,939	2,135,222	66.4%

Passenger Totals	Oct. 2021	Oct. 2019	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	Change
Domestic	481,635	480,318	0.27%	3,461,661	4,319,183	-19.9%
International	13,092	24,232	-45.97%	92,278	248,121	-62.8%
Total	494,727	504,550	-1.95%	3,553,939	4,567,304	-22.2%

Shipments of air cargo, commercial freight and mail combined, declined 11.49% in October to 72,901 tons from 82,363 tons in the same month last year. Compared with October 2019, however, October tonnage was more than 7% higher.

On a year-to-date basis, air cargo decreased 4.4% compared to 2020, but increased 14.7% compared with 2019.

Air cargo (tonnage)	Oct. 2021	Oct. 2020	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	Change
Freight	67,862	79,549	-14.69%	677,814	731,359	-7.3%
Mail	5,039	2,814	79.10%	39,465	18,594	112.2%
Total	72,901	82,363	-11.49%	717,279	749,952	-4.4%

Air cargo (tonnage)	Oct. 2021	Oct. 2019	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	Change
Freight	67,862	66,436	2.15%	677,814	605,498	11.9%
Mail	5,039	1,557	223.56%	39,465	19,778	99.5%
Total	72,901	67,994	7.22%	717,279	625,276	14.7%

"Ontario International continues to prove itself as an efficient, low-cost aviation gateway with first-rate facilities, not to mention strong community support. Our airport is a public treasure for the City of Ontario, San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire at large," Hagman 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).