Ontario International Airport in May reached nearly 80% of pre-pandemic passenger level

Officials bullish about summer travel

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Jun 17, 2021, 08:00 ET

ONTARIO, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Passenger volume at Ontario International Airport (ONT) in May was nearly 80% of its pre-pandemic level, another encouraging sign as the popular Southern California airport prepares to welcome greater numbers of travelers over the summer.

Data released by the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) show nearly 367,000 airline passengers traveled through ONT last month, which was 77.2% of ONT's passenger volume in May 2019. Compared to May 2020, last month's passenger total was 422% higher.

Passenger volumes at Ontario International Airport (ONT) are showing signs of returning to pre-pandemic levels as the summer travel season kicks into high gear.

The May report continues a steady climb in passenger volumes heading into the summer travel season. Ontario officials anticipate more than 1.4 million passengers from the beginning of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, recovering nearly 88% of the 1,657,185 passengers who arrived and departed ONT during the comparable period in 2019. That represents one of the fastest recovery rates in the United States.

"We continue to be enthusiastic about the pace of recovery at Ontario International and we are equally optimistic about volumes over the summer as air travelers rediscover the many advantages of arriving and departing our airport." said Mark Thorpe, OIAA chief executive officer. "ONT continues to set the pace for recovery among California airports in rebounding from the severe downturn in air travel following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Today, airlines serving ONT offer nonstop service to 25 destinations including six new ones – Charlotte, Chicago (O'Hare International Airport), Honolulu, Houston (William P. Hobby Airport), Mexico City and San Salvador.

Passenger Totals	May 2021	May 2020	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	Change
Domestic	355,648	70,296	405.93%	1,203,328	1,143,422	5.2%
International	11,289	0	N/A	26,037	64,060	-59.4%
Total	366,937	70,296	421.99%	1,229,365	1,207,482	1.8%
Passenger Totals	May 2021	May 2019	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	Change
Domestic	355,648	449,092	-20.81%	1,203,328	1,994,713	-39.7%
International	11,289	26,308	-57.09%	26,037	121,968	-78.7%
Total	366,937	475,400	-22.82%	1,229,365	2,116,681	-41.9%

Air freight shipments declined 20% in May to 65,000 tons compared to May last year but were flat – at 343,000 tons – from January through May compared to last year. However, freight was 18% higher over the first five months of the year compared to the same period in 2019.

Air cargo (tonnage)	May 2021	May 2020	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	Change
Freight	65,124	82,039	-20.62	343,266	343,488	-0.1%
Mail	3,955	1,484	166.49	18,338	7,518	143.9%
Total	69,078	83,523	-17.29	361,605	351,006	3.0%
Air cargo (tonnage)	May 2021	May 2019	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	Change
Freight	65,124	65,559	-0.66%	343,266	289,905	18.4%
Mail	3,955	2,616	51.20%	18,338	11,808	55.3%
Total	69,078	68,174	1.33%	361,605	301,713	19.9%

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).