Press Room

Posted on: Fri, 04/24/2020 - 15:51

Airport officials urge travelers to follow CDC guidance and take precautions to avoid getting sick or infecting others

Q: What is Ontario’s status?

A: Ontario International Airport is open and operating, but with significantly reduced flight schedules. Airlines are adjusting flight schedules on a frequent basis, so we encourage air travelers to stay in close touch with their airline. As a result, operations throughout the airport complex are being adjusted accordingly.

Parking in lots 3 and 5, as well as valet parking, has been suspended until further notice while lots 2 and 4 remain open. Book parking online here.

Some dining and retail concessions have closed temporarily, and others have reduced hours of operations. A current listing of closures is available here.

Q: Has concern about the coronavirus impacted Ontario’s operations?

A: Declines in domestic and international passenger volume occurred in the last two weeks of March and continued into April. Based on current airline schedules, we expect the number of passengers flying through Ontario to be significantly lower through May and June compared to the same period last year.

Q: Can I get food and drinks at Ontario?

A: Some dining and retail concessions remain open, though hours of operation have been adjusted in accordance with changes in commercial flight schedules. It is also worth noting that seating area capacity in our restaurants has been reduced to create six feet of space between tables.

Q: Should I wear a face mask to while traveling through Ontario?

A: The CDC suggests people wear cloth face coverings in public settings to protect not only themselves but others they may encounter, such as fellow travelers and dining or retail employees. Since April 7, San Bernardino County has ordered county residents to cover their faces in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus, especially among asymptomatic residents. 

It is important to keep in mind, however, that travelers also maintain good personal hygiene throughout their travel. Wash hands regularly with soap and water, keep hands away from your face and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer as needed. Importantly, you should avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands and use your elbows instead. And it is always is a good idea to travel with disinfectant wipes to clean surfaces such as armrests and seat-back trays aboard commercial aircraft.

Most importantly, if you are sick with flu-like symptoms, please do not travel, and airport employees who are sick should not come to work.

Additional health-related information from the CDC is available here.

Q: Is Ontario Airport doing anything special to prevent coronavirus infections among passengers?

A: Our senior leadership is actively monitoring developments regarding coronavirus infections and receiving regular updates from public health authorities, particularly the CDC, which is the clearinghouse for information regarding the Federal Government’s prevention, detection and treatment initiatives.

Q: Have any changes been made to Ontario operations that will protect air travelers?

A: We regularly review our policies, procedures and practices in order to provide a first-rate, stress-free customer experience. Last year, we incorporated new passenger screening trays treated with powerful antimicrobial technology to inhibit the growth of bacteria on the surface of the bins used by travelers at TSA checkpoints in our terminals. Ontario was the first U.S. airport to receive the new trays from SecurityPoint Media in partnership with Microban International. More recently, we increased the frequency and intensity of efforts to disinfect washrooms and other public areas with cleaning agents intended to kill germs while also adding to the number of stations where passengers and employees can access free hand sanitizer.

Q: I am concerned by the spread of coronavirus around the world. Should I cancel my upcoming air travel? 

A: Ontario airport is actively monitoring information and developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on air travel. For the latest health-related information, we are looking to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (as well as our state and county public health officials) for guidance, and we encourage you to do the same. You can access up to date information from the CDC here.

To date, the Federal Government has restricted air travel to the U.S. from Europe, Iran, South Korea and China (not including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) with exemptions for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The CDC’s travel advisory is available here.

Q: Have U.S. airports imposed flight restrictions to particular destinations?

A: U.S. airports do not have the authority to take such actions. The Federal Government, however, has restricted travel from China, South Korea, Iran and, most recently, Europe. Updated travel advisories are accessible on the CDC website here.

Air carriers are also adjusting their schedules based on declining market demand, so travelers should stay in close touch with their airlines if they are planning to travel soon.

Q: Is Ontario equipped to handle an arriving flight with multiple passengers aboard who might be showing signs of coronavirus infection?

A: It is worth noting that Ontario was preparing to receive one of the earliest evacuation flights of U.S. citizens from China before U.S. authorities made the decision to redirect those flights to military installations. We are confident that because of our training and preparation, we could effectively receive passengers who might be infected with coronavirus by working in close cooperation and coordination with our public health partners and first responders.

Q: Is Ontario Airport screening incoming passengers for the coronavirus?

A: No screening of incoming passengers is currently being conducted.

Q: Where can I get the latest information on coronavirus before I travel?

A: We encourage all travelers and employees coming to Ontario to keep up with the latest information provided by the CDC here.

The CDC website also includes country-specific travel advisories here.