#United States #Ontario, California #Ontario International Airport #passenger growth #Atif Elkadi

Ontario International Airport Sees Continued Passenger Growth

Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California has marked an impressive milestone by recording its 47th consecutive month of passenger growth in January 2025. This achievement reflects a sustained upward trajectory, with the airport welcoming over 475,000 travelers during the month—a 1.2% increase compared to January 2024.

The airport's domestic passenger count reached nearly 435,000, showing a notable 2.4% growth, while international travel experienced a decline of 10%, totaling just over 40,000 travelers. Despite the recent drop in international passenger numbers, the overall growth is a positive sign for the airport as it anticipates further developments in the aviation space.

CEO Statements and Future Prospects

Atif Elkadi, the CEO of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), expressed optimism about the airport's performance and future growth prospects. He stated, "We're kicking off the new year with incredible momentum, welcoming even more travelers than we did last January. With exciting new air service announcements from our airline partners, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of growth, opportunity, and expanded connectivity for our community."

In addition to the current growth, Ontario International Airport has plans for enhanced air services, with new domestic routes expected to serve popular destinations such as Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and Chicago/O'Hare (ORD), using Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, respectively. This summer will see the launch of several new international routes, including STARLUX Airlines, which will initiate four-times weekly flights to Taipei (TPE) starting in June, alongside Volaris, which will introduce daily flights to Los Cabos (SJD) from July.

Passenger and Air Cargo Trends

The breakdown of passengers shows:

• - Domestic Passenger Total: 434,919 (up from 424,577 in January 2024)
• - International Passenger Total: 40,320 (down from 45,012 in January 2024)
• - Total Passengers: 475,239 (up from 469,589 in January 2024)

In terms of air cargo, January showed a 6.6% increase, largely driven by a significant rise in mail shipments—growing by over 300%. Here's a quick look at the cargo statistics:

• - Freight: 52,423 tons (down from 56,769 tons in January 2024, a decline of 7.7%)
• - Mail: 10,903 tons (up from 2,661 tons in January 2024, a staggering increase of 309.8%)
• - Total Cargo: 63,326 tons (up from 59,430 tons in January 2024)

Future Insights

As Ontario International Airport continues to thrive, it has solidified its status as one of the fastest-growing passenger airports in the United States while maintaining a position as one of the top ten cargo hubs. This growth not only emphasizes the airport's pivotal role in enhancing local and regional travel but also highlights its significance in the larger global travel industry, poised for more opportunities in the months ahead.

According to J.D. Power's recent North America Airport Satisfaction Study, ONT is recognized as California's most popular mid-sized airport, located about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the Inland Empire. Offering nonstop commercial jet services to numerous major airports across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and Taiwan, it is well-positioned for continued success. For more information, visit flyOntario.com and follow @flyONT on social media platforms.

The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) was established in August 2012 through a Joint Powers Agreement to oversee the airport's management and operations, aiming to enhance the Southern California economy and benefit community residents.