Press Room
Ontario International Airport passenger volume higher by 11% in March and 10% through the first three months of 2024
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(Ontario, California – April 17, 2024) – Passenger volume at Ontario International Airport (ONT) surged 11% to 557,000 in March and nearly 10% during the first three months of the year, according to airport officials.
Last month, ONT welcomed almost 516,000 domestic passengers and more than 41,000 international fliers, increases of 8.3% and 66%, respectively.
“We continued to fly high in March with double-digit passenger growth year-over-year as more travelers chose Ontario International and our world class services and amenities,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “The ongoing run of strong passenger increases, as well as new air service offerings recently announced by our airline partners, bodes well for the spring and summer travel seasons.”
The air carriers with the greatest passenger shares at ONT in March were:
- Southwest Airlines (37.7%)
- American Airlines (16.3%)
- Frontier Airlines (12.1%)
- Delta Air Lines (9.7%)
- Alaska Airlines (7.3%)
For the first quarter of calendar year 2024, ONT’s passenger count increased by 9.9% to more than 1.4 million. The number of domestic travelers was up by 6.4% and international passengers almost 75% higher, compared with the same period last year.
Passenger Totals |
Mar 2024 |
Mar 2023 |
Change |
YTD 2024 |
YTD 2023 |
Change |
Domestic |
515,940 |
476,509 |
8.3% |
1,353,930 |
1,272,908 |
6.4% |
International |
41,060 |
24,741 |
66.0% |
122,252 |
70,134 |
74.7% |
Total |
557,000 |
501,250 |
11.1% |
1,476,482 |
1,343,042 |
9.9% |
Freight shipments declined by 3.9% in March and 1% for the first quarter.
Air cargo (tonnage) |
Mar 2024 |
Mar 2023 |
Change |
YTD 2024 |
YTD 2023 |
Change |
Freight |
58,107 |
60,440 |
-3.9% |
168,798 |
170,531 |
-1.0% |
|
2,576 |
5,080 |
-49.3% |
7,820 |
13,951 |
-43.9% |
Total |
60,683 |
65,520 |
-7.4% |
176,618 |
184,482 |
-4.3% |
“Freight tonnage was essentially flat over the first quarter of 2024,” Elkadi said. “We are optimistic that as economic forces continue to improve, air freight will return to positive growth over the course of the year.”
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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 offers nonstop commercial jet service to two dozen major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, X (formerly 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 leaders include Ontario City Council Member 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).