Ontario International Airport Reports Significant Traffic Growth Through September 2025
Ontario International Airport (ONT) has released its traffic report for the first nine months of 2025, showcasing notable growth in passenger and cargo volume. The airport, situated in Southern California, welcomed over 5.2 million passengers from January to September, surpassing previous year's figures and solidifying its status as a key player in the region's transportation network.
Passenger Traffic Highlights
Between January and September 2025, ONT recorded a total of 5,278,316 passengers, which reflects a modest increase of 0.8% compared to the same period last year. Breaking it down, domestic travel saw a slight dip, with 4,885,308 passengers (a decline of 0.3%), while international travel surged, showing a remarkable growth of 17% with 393,008 international passengers.
September alone recorded 599,086 travelers, marking a 1.1% decrease from September 2024, effectively ending the airport's impressive streak of 54 consecutive months of passenger growth. This month’s figures included 554,651 domestic travelers, down by 3.6%, and 44,435 international passengers, up 45.7%, highlighting a continued interest in overseas travel from the region.
Despite the slight downturn in passenger numbers last month, ONT’s overall traffic remains 28% higher than pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating strong recovery dynamics as traveler confidence resumes.
Cargo Capacity Expansion
In addition to passenger traffic, air cargo volume has also seen an upward trend. For September 2025, cargo tonnage increased by 1% compared to the same month in 2024, marking the 15th continuous month of growth in air cargo. The total air cargo volume for September was reported at over 65,587 tons, bringing total air cargo tonnage for the year-to-date to 605,095 tons, an impressive 8.2% increase year-over-year.
The breakdown of the cargo operations indicated a significant leap in mail volume, which soared by 210.5% to 98,064 tons, while freight fell by 3.9% during the same period.
Key Air Carriers
The leading five air carriers by passenger volume at ONT for September were Southwest Airlines with 37.4%, followed by American Airlines at 14.4%, United Airlines at 10.6%, Delta Air Lines at 9.8%, and Frontier Airlines at 9.6%. These airlines reflect the airport’s robust operational network, emphasizing the importance of ONT in connecting Southern California to various national and international destinations.
Statement from ONT Officials
Atif Elkadi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority, expressed pride in the airport's accomplishments despite the slight decline in September's passenger numbers. He stated,
“Fifty-four months of consecutive growth is something few airports can claim, and it reflects the spirit of the Inland Empire. A streak may pause, but our purpose never does.” He added that ONT is committed to rising to new challenges as it aims to break more records in the near future.
Conclusion
Overall, Ontario International Airport continues to evolve and adapt within the competitive landscape of air travel and cargo transportation. As it builds on its recent achievements, ONT is not just a transit hub but a dynamic contributor to the economy of Southern California. With ongoing improvements and expansions expected, travelers and businesses alike can look forward to further growth paths.
For more details on Ontario International Airport and ongoing updates, visit
flyOntario.com.