Ontario International Airport (ONT) has reported a slight passenger increase in February 2024 compared to the previous year.
This positive trend occurred despite February 2024 having one fewer day due to Leap Year. When adjusted for this discrepancy, ONT’s passenger volume actually rose by a robust 3.6% compared to February 2023.
According to officials at ONT, a total of 450,093 air travelers passed through the Southern California gateway last month, slightly exceeding the 449,893 recorded in February 2023.
February Performance
Breaking down the numbers, domestic passenger traffic at ONT reached 414,286, marking a 0.2% increase. Meanwhile, international passenger volume experienced a slight dip, decreasing by 1.8% to 35,807.
Looking at the broader picture, the first two months of 2024 have shown overall growth for ONT. Passenger traffic for January and February combined was 0.6% higher than the same period in 2023.
Domestic travel played a significant role in this growth, with a 1.3% increase in volume. However, the number of international travelers was down by 6.6% during this period.
Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), expressed optimism about the airport’s performance. “We continue to prove that we are the aviation gateway Southern California deserves,” he stated.
“Even with a shorter month, we saw growth, an achievement that speaks to our resilience, strong demand, and the trust travelers and airlines place in us.”
Elkadi also highlighted the airport’s future expansion plans. “With new service launching to Chicago and Baltimore/Washington, as well as four international destinations in Mexico and Asia, ONT is not just keeping up; we are setting the stage for even greater success in 2025 and beyond,” he added.
Leading Air Carriers
The leading air carriers at ONT in February 2024 were:
- Southwest Airlines (37.5%)
- American Airlines (16.1%)
- Frontier Airlines (10.7%)
- Delta Air Lines (9.1%)
- United Airlines (8.6%)
Cargo Volumes Rise
Beyond passenger traffic, ONT also saw a significant increase in air cargo volume. In February, air cargo grew by 6.8%. Primarily driven by a remarkable surge in mail shipments, this increased by over 276%.
Freight shipments, however, decreased by 6.1% for the month. For the first two months of the year combined, freight and mail shipments increased by 6.7%.
“Ontario prides itself on first-rate cargo facilities and operational excellence, which makes our Inland Empire airport a hub of choice for cargo shippers,” Elkadi emphasized.
About ONT
Ontario International Airport, recognized as California’s most popular mid-sized airport in J.D. Power’s recent North America Airport Satisfaction Study, is strategically located in the Inland Empire, approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
As a full-service airport, ONT offers nonstop commercial jet service to numerous major airports across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and Taiwan. It has steadily positioned itself as a key player in Southern California’s aviation landscape.
The airport’s ability to show growth in a traditionally shorter month, particularly the growth of cargo traffic, suggests the strength of the airport.
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