The reduced charges are retroactive to January 1. The new landing fee rate is $1.60 per 1,000 pounds of landed weight, down 8.3 percent from $1.71. The terminal rental rate is reduced 19.5 percent to $80 per square foot per year from $99.38.

The reductions are possible because of faster growth in passenger volume contributing to higher-than-projected revenues from non-airline sources such as parking, rental cars, food and beverage, and news and gift concessions. In addition, airport operating expenses were reduced $2.1 million in the last six months of calendar year 2021.

Ontario’s passenger volume has approached near pre-pandemic levels in recent months. In the final six months of calendar year 2021, passenger activity was 94.7% of the same period in 2019.

“With the transfer of Ontario International to local control in 2016, we pledged that our Southern California aviation gateway would strive to offer a cost structure attractive to airlines as they make route planning decisions,” said OIAA Commission President Alan D. Wapner. “Now, as the aviation industry prepares to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever we keep airport costs as low as possible for our airline partners. Air carriers need to know where they can operate most profitably, and we are proud to say that is Ontario International Airport.”

Deputy Chief Executive Officer Atif Elkadi added, “We are pleased to share our increased non-airline revenues and lower operating costs with our airline partners through a reduction in landing fees and terminal rental rates for the second half our fiscal year. Moreover, we are committed to doing all possible to continue this trend.”

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, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Commission voted unanimously on December 23rd to authorize a Development and Entitlement Agreement that will lead to a ground lease for approximately 198 acres of surplus property at the Southern California airport. The 55-year lease will generate approximately $275 million over the first 10 years, which will support ongoing airport improvements while keeping costs down for airlines.

The OIAA determined the property, located east of Haven Avenue, north of Jurupa Avenue, south of Airport Drive and west of Carnegie Avenue, is unsuited for typical airport use, making it surplus to the airport’s aviation/aeronautical needs. (See accompanying ONT aerial photo showing surplus property to be leased).

“We are pleased and proud to move forward with the first of several major real estate transactions to monetize vacant property since the airport was transferred to local control in November 2016,” said Alan D. Wapner, Mayor pro Tem of the City of Ontario and President of the OIAA Board of Commissioners.

“As envisioned in the OIAA strategic business plan, the ongoing revenue stream will help ONT fund vital safety, security and infrastructure projects while keeping airport costs to airlines low. As a result, ONT will become even more attractive for airlines to inaugurate and increase flight schedules.”

CanAm Ontario LLC, a venture formed by San Antonio, TX-based USAA Real Estate Company and McDonald Property Group of Newport Beach, CA, will develop the vacant property for industrial use in compliance with the Airport Compatibility Plan required under State Law.

Steven Ames, Managing Director-Investments, USAA Real Estate Company, sounded a note of optimism following the Board’s action.

“USAA is excited to enter into another large-scale industrial project in the Inland Empire with McDonald Property Group. Given our long track record of success with McDonald, it is our vision that the Ontario International Airport project will continue in that tradition and become one of the most prominent industrial/logistics developments in the region,” Ames said.

CanAm Ontario was selected following a competitive process which began with 17 bidders managed by CBRE Group, Inc., a global leader in real estate services and investment headquartered in Los Angeles.

The deal calls for a non-refundable $10 million deposit to OIAA. After allowing time for CanAm Ontario to obtain local jurisdictional entitlement and environmental approvals, rental revenue to the OIAA will start at $25 million in the first year, increasing in five-year increments, resulting in revenue of $90.6 per year in the final five years. The net present value of the agreement is $625 million.

“The air carriers at Ontario support efforts that keep operating costs low, which benefits anyone who uses the airport,” said Trey Hettinger, Chair of the ONT Airline Affairs Committee representing the Signatory passenger and cargo airlines operating at ONT. “This is an example of the Authority’s continued efforts to provide funding for airport improvements while reducing airline costs”.

Airport officials noted that special consideration was given to ensure the transaction complies with applicable federal laws and Federal Aviation Administration policies and provide lease revenue exceeding fair market value as determined by three independent appraisals. Federal law requires that revenues generated by the airport be used for airport purposes.

Ontario International Airport | Contributed

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According to data compiled by ONT officials, 271,075 passengers are expected to fly into and from ONT between December 18 and January 4, a 7% decrease compared with the same period two years ago. The daily average will be just over 15,000 and the highest volume days will be December 21 and December 22 when ONT expects more than 17,000 fliers each day.

“Ontario International experienced pre-pandemic passenger volumes over Thanksgiving and though we don’t expect the same levels in the weeks ahead our passenger terminals will still be bustling,” said Ronald O. Loveridge, vice president of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners. “We look forward to extending our holiday hospitality to customers who choose to travel. They will enjoy the first-rate, hassle-free experience they have come to expect from us.”

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, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. There is an average of 67 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com.

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Based on airline data compiled by the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), ONT welcomed more than 494,000 air travelers last month, an increase of 127% compared with October 2020 and just 1.95% less than October 2019.

Domestic travel grew 125% to 481,000 passengers in October while international volume exceeded 13,000, an increase of 215%. When compared with October 2019, domestic travel was 0.27% higher last month while international passenger volume was 46% lower.

From January through October, total passenger volume surpassed 3.5 million, 66% higher than the same period last year. The numbers of domestic and international travelers increased by 68% and 14%, respectively.

Compared with the first 10 months of 2019, total passenger volume was 22% lower. Domestic and international passenger volume decreased by 20% and 63%, respectively.

“The resurgence of air travel in Southern California is most evident at Ontario International which is experiencing the quickest pandemic recovery among airports its size and larger,” said Curt Hagman, an OIAA commissioner and chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. “As demand for domestic air travel grows, airlines and air passengers are showing their confidence in our ability to provide an aviation environment that is safe and secure and a customer experience that is world class.”

Shipments of air cargo, commercial freight and mail combined, declined 11.49% in October to 72,901 tons from 82,363 tons in the same month last year. Compared with October 2019, however, October tonnage was more than 7% higher.

On a year-to-date basis, air cargo decreased 4.4% compared to 2020, but increased 14.7% compared with 2019.

“Ontario International continues to prove itself as an efficient, low-cost aviation gateway with first-rate facilities, not to mention strong community support. Our airport is a public treasure for the City of Ontario, San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire at large,” Hagman said.

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, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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Those who believed ONT could be a viable alternative for commercial air service in the greater Los Angeles region were proven right. Airlines added new flights and destinations. Air passengers quickly realized the benefits of having easy access to a first-rate gateway closer to home. Shippers utilized ONT’s expansive facilities and cargo hubs, ideally situated in the heart of region’s robust supply chain network.

ONT’s remarkable journey is the focus of a State of the Airport celebration today at the Ontario Convention Center, bringing together city and county leaders, industry executives, airline personnel and other ONT supporters, more than 350 guests in all.

“We knew on that fateful day five years ago that the combination of first-rate facilities, operations know-how and broad local support positioned us well to develop Ontario International into a premier aviation gateway and deliver the air service and amenities that sophisticated air travelers demand,” said Alan D. Wapner, Mayor pro Tem of the City of Ontario and President of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners. “Our team of dedicated professionals transformed Ontario from an airport that had in essence been forgotten or worse disregarded into a thriving low-cost, international gateway for airlines, air passengers and freight shippers alike.”

The Inland Empire airport had languished for much of a decade and eventually became the focus of a campaign to shift control from its previous owner Los Angeles World Airports, the operator of Los Angeles International Airport, to local authorities.

By August 6, 2015, the parties had reached a history-making agreement and on November 1, 2016, transferred ownership of ONT from the City of Los Angeles to a joint authority of the City of Ontario and San Bernardino County. Finally, ONT became the property and responsibility of those closest to it – the elected and appointed leaders who committed to reviving air travel in the Inland Empire, businesses which vowed to support it and the customers who placed their faith in it.

By 2018, Ontario International was one of the fastest growing airports in the U.S. And while the coronavirus pandemic reduced air travel by 90% or more at many airports, ONT has experienced the quickest recovery among airports its size and larger in California. By September, passenger volume was 97% of pre-pandemic levels with domestic travel almost fully recovered.

“We’ve proven that we can compete with larger airports in delivering a high quality, hassle-free customer experience with easy access to our passenger terminals, affordable parking, quick and efficient security screening, spacious gate areas, free and dependable Wi-Fi and dining concessions that feature popular local and national brands,” said Curt Hagman, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and an OIAA Commissioner.

Since taking control of ONT, the OIAA has increased the number of airlines operating at the airport by nearly 50% and almost doubled the number of nonstop destinations. Departures climbed from 403 to 460 per week while the number of passenger seats increased from 52,000 to 66,500.

In 2019, ONT welcomed more than 5.5 passengers, the highest total in more than a decade, and for the second consecutive year was the fastest growing airport in the U.S., according to Global Traveler, a leading industry publication geared to business and luxury fliers who travel extensively in the U.S. and abroad. In addition, more than $8 million was invested to rebrand and refurbish dining and retail concessions.

“In the five years since regaining local control of our operations, we’ve created teams to work with airline partners to increase routes. We’ve improved parking, added restaurants, improved infrastructure and maintenance and basically enhanced everything about the passenger experience, taking it all to a whole new level,” said Jim Bowman, an Ontario City Council member and OIAA Commissioner.

The past five years also have brought continued growth in ONT’s cargo operations, which now rank among the Top 10 in North America. Last November, Federal Express opened its new 251,000-square-foot operations center at the airport, and together with UPS, Amazon and other freight haulers processed more than 900,000 tons of incoming and outgoing cargo in 2020.

“Our strategic logistics location in Southern California makes this area an international business hub,” said Ron Loveridge, Vice President of the OIAA Board of Commissioners. “With localized control, a growing list of carriers and cargo partners, Ontario International Airport continues to increase its role as a premier passenger and logistics airport not only for California, but nationally and internationally as well.”

“It’s hard to imagine another airport, another region, which has a future as promising as ours,” said OIAA Commissioner Julia Gouw. “Ontario International Airport truly is a prized asset, in a prime location, with a customer base that continues to grow. ONT is the perfect choice for travel to and from Southern California.”

—-

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, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, 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 Commissioners are Ontario Mayor Pro Tem 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).

Ontario International Airport | Contributed

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According to data compiled by the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), the popular Southern California gateway welcomed more than 462,000 domestic passengers and 15,600 international travelers in July, increases of 167% and 333%, respectively, compared to July 2020.

The number of domestic travelers last month was just 1.2% lower than July 2019 while international passenger volume was 42% lower.

From January through July, ONT welcomed more than 2.1 million passengers, almost 70% of the total over the same period in 2019 and 40% more than the first seven months of 2020.

“Ontario International’s recovery from the impact of the pandemic continues at a robust pace,” said Alan D. Wapner, President of the OIAA Board of Commissioners. “Airlines are showing great confidence in our airport and our strong  customer base as the demand for air travel, particularly domestic service, approaches pre-pandemic volume.”

Wapner also noted that ONT’s customer base is growing, according to a recent analysis of household migration to and from the top metropolitan regions in the U.S. Among the report’s findings: the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. area – also known as the Inland Empire – experienced the greatest population growth in 2020 as families sought more affordable homes in less densely populated areas following the onset of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, air freight shipments in July, which totaled 66,400 tons, were 6% higher than the same month in 2019, but 17.2% lower than July last year. For the first seven months of the year, freight volume was almost 480,000 tons, nearly 5% less than the same period a year ago, but almost 16% more than 2019.

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, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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From the start of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, ONT officials expect approximately 1,453,000 passengers, based on analysis of current airline schedules and load factor trends. The figure is 87.7% of the total number of passengers (1,657,185) who arrived and departed ONT pre-pandemic during the comparable period in 2019. The Summer 2021 travel period begins Friday, May 28, and ends Monday, Sept. 6.

“The Inland Empire’s strong economy and rapidly growing population have combined to put ONT at the forefront of airline recovery plans in Southern California,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “We look forward to a near-normal summer travel season and welcoming many travelers we haven’t had the pleasure of serving in more than a year.”

Airlines are offering nonstop service to 25 destinations this summer, with six new destinations — Charlotte, Chicago (O’Hare International Airport), Honolulu, Houston (William P. Hobby Airport), Mexico City and San Salvador. Service to San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador, is the first from the Inland Empire to Central America.

The 10 airlines serving ONT have scheduled 66 departing flights per day on average from May 28 through September 6 with more than 1.8 million seats available. By August, the number of daily departures will have increased to 74. ONT forecasts more than 75% of the seats will be occupied.

Air travelers, greeters and other ONT visitors are reminded that face coverings are required in the airport and onboard aircraft.

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, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, 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 Commissioners are Ontario Mayor Pro Tem 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).

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The partnership is the latest example of ONT’s shift toward fully immersed marketing experiences since moving management and control of airport advertising in-house. Under the partnership the full Santos Tequila line and Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum are available at the Rock & Brews restaurant in Terminal 4, and are featured on an in-house cocktail list, takeaway drink cups and an array of giveaways, such as luggage tags, caps and mugs. Rock & Brews staff also have Santos-branded uniforms.

“Working with Delaware North and the Santos brands, we’re going beyond traditional static advertising and creating a true customer experience,” said Dan Cappell, Chief Commercial Officer for the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “And, of course, we’re thrilled to partner with one of our region’s own, the great Sammy Hagar.”

Hagar, who grew up in nearby Fontana, achieved international stardom as a solo artist and lead singer for the band Van Halen, and in 2007 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen. As a businessman, Hagar founded the Cabo Wabo Tequila brand and restaurant chain, and, more recently, Santos Tequila brand with Emmy Award-winning chef and restaurateur Guy Fieri. Santo Tequila is one of the fastest growing tequila brands in North America. It is made with 100% pure Blue Weber agave and the blanco tequila was recently named by the Robb report as a “top 7 tequila in the world.”

Bill Summers, General Manager of Delaware North, which manages food and beverage concessions at ONT, said sales of Santos Tequila and Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum have exceeded expectations. “To have a local rock Legend actively involved and supporting the campaign has resonated with our customers, and we look forward to working with Mr. Hagar and the team at OIAA to further strengthen this partnership,” Summers said.

The marketing partnership is the second to be announced in recent weeks at ONT, America’s fastest-growing airport three years running.

“Having a dedicated resource to promote and manage our advertising and sponsorship program has already proven that the decision to bring this discipline in house was the right one for our business,” Cappell said. “We have a number of projects that we are still working through the details on and look forward to announcing these in the near future.”

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Service on the new seasonal route begins May 6, continuing through August 16, with the ONT departure scheduled for 9:45 p.m. A return flight arrives ONT at 8:24 p.m. American announced earlier this month that it will begin flights twice a day between ONT and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in August.

The carrier also flies to Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth from Terminal 4 at ONT. “We are enormously grateful to American Airlines for showing such confidence in Ontario,” said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “We have worked hard throughout the pandemic to be ready for a return to more normal travel routines and, while there is still a way to go, it is encouraging that air carriers are making Ontario a focus of their recovery plans.

” American will serve the Charlotte route with Boeing 737-800 aircraft equipped to accommodate 172 passengers with 16 in First-Class, 30 in Main Cabin Extra and 126 in Main Cabin. In addition to American, airlines operating at ONT resumed or initiated new service to five destinations including Atlanta, Chicago (Midway), Houston (Intercontinental and Hobby), Seattle and Mexico City in the second half of 2020 while plans were announced for flights to another nine markets by Spring including Chicago (O’Hare), Honolulu, Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento and San Francisco.

Colombia-based Avianca Airlines will begin service to El Salvador this summer, the first to Central America from the Inland Empire. Hawaiian Airlines, which will begin service this Wednesday from ONT to Honolulu five days a week, announced it will fly the route seven days a week during the summer.

Ontario airport has been recognized three times since last summer for understanding and meeting the needs of its customers during the pandemic.

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Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) experienced the third-highest recovery rate among U.S. airports in August, welcoming up to 43% of the air travelers it handled a year ago.

According to data released by the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), nearly 200,000 passengers traveled through ONT in August, about two-fifths of the total number of passengers compared to August last year. Domestic travelers totaled more than 193,000 and international passengers more than 3,000.

During the first eight months of the year, ONT greeted more than 1.7 million passengers, with domestic and international travelers totaling more than 1.6 million and 72,000, respectively.

“While we eagerly await the return of our customers in greater numbers, we are heartened by the pace of our recovery at Ontario,” OIAA Chief Executive Officer Mark Thorpe said in alluding to passenger screening data from the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA).

The TSA data, compiled on a weekly basis, showed that by late August ONT had recovered 43% of its passenger volume from August last year.

“No U.S. airport has been immune from the impact of the coronavirus and many continue to experience the loss of airline services, but with a robust customer base and fundamentally strong economy in the Inland Empire, Ontario is well-positioned for recovery.”

Airlines operating at ONT have restored nonstop flights to Atlanta, Chicago and Houston in recent months. Delta Air Lines announced it will begin service to Seattle in October while international carrier Volaris is planning new service to Mexico City beginning in November.

Freight shipments, meanwhile, grew to 70,000 tons last month, an increase of nearly 7% compared to August 2019. Over the first eight months of the year, freight tonnage was more than 570,000 tons, a nearly 20% increase over the same period in 2019.

Shipments of U.S. mail, which had declined for much the year, increased 32% in August. Freight and mail shipments combined grew more than 7.5% for the month and 18% on a year-to-date basis.

-PRNews Wire

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