ONT is born as Latimer Field, a locally owned airfield three miles west of our current location.

The City of Ontario purchases 30 acres in the southwest corner of the present airport for $12,000, naming it Ontario Municipal Airport.

The airport is converted for use by the US Army Air Corps during World War II, soon becoming a P-38 training base and P-S9 operating base.

The airport is renamed Ontario international Airport, as transpacific cargo flights begin.

The military departs, and the airport is rededicated to civil aviation. 

The City of Ontario receives a state permit to start commercial service at ONT.

New terminal buildings are completed, the runway is expanded and the airport grows.

The City of Ontario partners with the City of Los Angeles to run ONT, making it part of the Los Angeles Department of Airports (LADA) regional system.

Airport development continues, with additional property purchased, new routes launched, South Runway 8R/26L constructed and terminal facilities expanded. 

The City of Ontario transfers ownership of the airport to LADA (soon to be Los Angeles World Airports or LAWA), hoping the synergy will spur growth.

A new Air Traffic Control Tower opens, FedEx and UPS build new facilities, crews expand North Runway 26R/8L, the International Arrivals Terminal opens and Airport Drive is widened.

New twin terminals (still in use today) open with a combined 530,000 square feet of space and 26 gates that can accommodate up to 10 million passengers a year.

After decades of growth, ONT’s passenger numbers drop amid the recession, while local residents become frustrated over the lack of airline, flight and restaurant options.

ONT is named among the “fastest-declining midsize airports in the country.” Area leaders express increasing concern over LAWA’s dedication to the airport.

The City of Ontario and San Bernardino County team up to launch the Set Ontario Free campaign, advocating for local control of ONT. They form a Joint Powers Authority called the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). OIAA and LAWA begin negotiations over who should own and operate ONT.

The Set Ontario Free campaign heats up. OIAA also sues for control of the airport, arguing LAWA isn't fulfilling its obligations to support and grow ONT.

 L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Ontario Mayor Pro Tem Alan Wapner announce a settlement agreement that will lead to transferring ONT ownership from LAWA to OIAA.

OIAA’s Board of Commissioners approves a $250 million agreement that will transfer control of ONT to the authority.

Congress approves federal legislation that paves the way for ONT’s transfer back to local control.

Ownership of the airport is officially transferred to the OIAA, bringing ONT back to full local control for the first time in nearly half a century.

Southwest Airlines begins nonstop flights to Dallas Love Field. 

Lyft & Uber become ONT’s first app-based rideshare services.

ONT signs an eight-year agreement with Hudson Group to upgrade the airport’s shopping options.

OmniTrans expands public transit service to ONT.

Frontier Airlines began service from ONT, launching three new nonstop flights in the largest commitment of new air service at the airport in more than a decade.

ONT AiRadio launches commercial-free, 24/7 broadcasts on 620AM.

China Airlines launched daily nonstop service to Taiwan — the airport’s first transpacific service.

Einstein Bros. Bagels and other new concessions come to ONT terminals as part of Delaware North’s investment into the airport.

ONT celebrates dining upgrades with KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.
 

ONT beats Atlanta to become the No. 1 outbound cargo market in the U.S. 

ONT’s online parking reservation system starts accepting bookings.

Spanish- and Mandarin-language content is added to flyOntario.com.

As part of an influx in new air service connecting ONT to the East Coast, Delta Air Lines launched nonstop flights to Atlanta.

Airline investment into ONT continued to increase, as United Airlines launched nonstop service to Houston’s IAH.

ONT welcomed 5.5 million passengers in 2019 — the most since 2008!

ONT is among nine airports in North America to earn Customer Service Experience Accreditation from Airport Councils International.

A newly renovated Bob Hope USO facility is unveiled to support troops traveling through ONT.

New FedEx facility opens that’s triple the size of the company’s prior space.

Hawaiian Airlines returns to ONT.

American Airlines begins nonstop flights to Charlotte, North Carolina, opening a new gateway between ONT and the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.

Avianca Airlines launches service to El Salvador — the first of its kind between the Inland Empire and Central America.

Dunkin’ opens inside of Terminal 4.

ONT celebrates its fifth anniversary of local ownership by hosting its first annual State of the Airport luncheon.

ONT is named the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year.

Southwest Airlines starts offering daily nonstop service to Austin, Texas.

CLEAR service launches at ONT.

Aspire Lounge celebrates grand opening at ONT.

The ONT+ Visitor Pass Program allows the non-traveling public to clear security and spend time at ONT.

ONT hosts its first 5K at the Runway.

Lot 6, a new reduced-rate parking venue, opens to drivers.

For the fifth straight year, ONT is named the fastest-growing airport in the United States, according to a leading industry publication.

Subway opens a restaurant inside of Terminal 4.

ONT hits milestone of 30 million passengers since the return to local control.

ONT celebrates Chick-fil-A opening in T4 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

ONT adopts Sunflower program to support those with hidden disabilities.

Hudson Evolve opens in terminals. 

3Sixty Duty Free & More opens inside Terminal 2, as ONT welcomes more international passengers.

ONT launches Authors at ONT, with book-signing events in terminals.

Brewery X at ONT opens, with OIAA as joint partner.

Global Entry Enrollment Center opens.

Second annual 5K at the Runway raises $32,000 for the USO.

Mi Casa Cantina opens in T4.

Pizza Vino in T2 and Einstein Bros. Bagels in T4 open after remodels.

Frontier Airlines launches nonstop flights to Portland and Salt Lake City.

Volaris celebrates its 10-year anniversary of flying through ONT.

LAFC makes ONT its official airport.

Frontier Airlines launchesart flight to El Paso, Texas.

Tap & Pour in T2 and Urban Crave in T4 open after remodels.

Southwest Airlines launches nonstop route to Nashville.

California Science Center opens immersive site in ONT’s T4.

ONT hosts FAB Conference and wins Best Airport Bar/Pub of the Year.

Groundbreaking held for The HUB logistics center on ONT land east of the airport.

Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee greets passengers during Authors at ONT.

ONT ranks No. 4 for customer satisfaction among mid-sized airports in J.D. Power survey.

ONT becomes a Landing Rights airport, paving the way for future growth.

ONT completes $90 million rehabilitation project on South Runway 8R-26L.

ONT celebrates its busiest September ever, smashing a record from 2005.

Hundreds attend the fourth annual State of the Airport luncheon.

ONT welcomes nearly 7.1 million passengers — a 67% increase since the return to local control.

ONT hosts its biggest 5K at the Runway, raising nearly $54,000 for the USO.

Evolve by Hudson at ONT welcomes 1LoveIE brand to its stores.

Southwest Airlines celebrates 40 years of service at ONT.

STARLUX Airlines begins service between ONT and Taiwan.

Volaris starts 14 weekly flights to Los Cabos, León and Morelia in Mexico, helping ONT see the most monthly international passengers in its history.

Board of Commissioners adopts ONT’s first new Use and Lease Agreement in 25 years, paving the way for future growth.

ONT advances to Level 2 in ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation program.

ONT soars to No. 2 for medium airports in J.D. Power’s 2025 North America Airport Satisfaction Survey

FAA awards ONT $10.8 million in grants to upgrade taxiways and add greener cooling equipment in terminals.

ONT announces that Brewery X is expanding into Terminal 4 while Chick-fil-A is adding a location in Terminal 2.

ONT kicks off its campaign Celebrating a Decade of Local Control with a special website listing events, the official launch of the ONTo the Next Destination blog and more.