Ontario International Airport passenger volumes increased 138% in August compared to 2020

August traffic climbs to 93% of pre-COVID level as recovery continues

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Sep 16, 2021, 08:00 ET

ONTARIO, Calif., Sept. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ontario International Airport (ONT) continues to experience an impressive pandemic recovery, reporting strong year-over-year gains in August passenger volumes and inching to within 7% of pre-COVID levels.

Ontario International Airport continued to show strong passenger volumes during August

More than 467,000 passengers traveled through the Southern California gateway during the month – 138% more than August last year and 93% of the passenger volume recorded in the same month in 2019, officials announced. ONT welcomed more than 454,000 domestic passengers and 13,600 international travelers during August. Year to date, total passenger volume was 2.6 million, 51% higher than the same period last year and within 72.5% of 2019 levels for the same eight-month period.

"Ontario International continued to experience a strong pandemic recovery in August, and we remain confident in our ability to attract air service and maintain Ontario's status as a safe, attractive destination airport," said Ronald O. Loveridge, vice president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) and retired mayor of the city of Riverside, Calif.

Passenger Totals	August 2021	August 2020	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	Change
Domestic	454,022	193,142	135,07%	2,539,079	1,649,497	53.9%
International	13,600	3,389	301.30%	66,959	72,766	-8.0%
Total	467,622	196,531	137.94%	2,606,038	1,722,263	51.3%

Passenger Totals	August 2021	August 2019	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	Change
Domestic	454,022	478,782	-5.17%	2,539,079	3,392,696	-25.2%
International	13,600	25,320	-46.29%	66,959	200,734	-66.6%
Total	467,622	504,102	-7.24%	2,606,038	3,593,430	-27.5%

Air cargo (freight and mail) shipments in August totaled more than 68,000 tons, a decrease of 8.3% compared to the same month in 2020 but an increase of 1.6% compared to the same month in 2019. Over the first eight months of the year, air cargo – more than 543,000 tons – declined 2.7% from the same period a year ago but increased 15.6% compared to 2019.

Air cargo (tonnage)	August 2021	August 2020	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	Change
Freight	64,316	72,261	-11.0%	543,571	575,947	-5.6%
Mail	3,881	2,096	85.16%	30,157	13,607	121.6%
Total	68,198	74,358	-8.28%	573,728	589,554	-2.7%

Air cargo (tonnage)	August 2021	August 2019	Change	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	Change
Freight	64,316	65,514	-1.83%	543,571	479,145	13.4%
Mail	3,881	1,587	144.58%	30,157	16,950	77.9%
Total	68,198	67,101	1.63%	573,728	496,094	15.6%

"Ontario International continues to be a tremendous public asset for the Inland Empire as a safe, convenient and low-cost destination airport, as well as a spacious, modern hub for commercial freight activity," Loveridge added.

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).