Ontario Airport breaks record for International passengers in early 2024

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Officials at Ontario International Airport (ONT) have reported that in January, the airport saw the arrival of almost 470,000 passengers, with a remarkable 45,012 being international travelers, marking a new record. This surpasses the previous high of 43,551 set in July and represents a significant 90% increase compared to January 2023.

The overall passenger volume for January reached 469,589, showcasing a 9.5% rise compared to the same period last year. Of this total, 424,577 passengers were domestic travelers, reflecting a 4.8% increase year over year.

“The new year began as last year ended with growth in passenger volume remaining strong,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), noting that January marked the 35^th consecutive month of year-over-year passenger increases at ONT.

“We are especially proud of the record-setting international passenger count since our mission is to be the international gateway of choice for Southern California residents and visitors,” Elkadi said.

Elkadi attributed ONT’s consistent passenger growth, which continues to surpass that of similar airports, to the robust job expansion in the Inland Empire. According to the Orange County Register, the region gained an impressive 128,400 jobs from 2019 to 2023, making it California’s leading job-producing area.

Additionally, the population surge within ONT’s catchment area has propelled the Inland Empire to become the 12th largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the U.S., surpassing San Francisco and closely trailing behind Boston, as per recent U.S. Census data.

In January 2024, ONT recorded notable increases in passenger traffic compared to the same period last year, with domestic travelers rising by 4.8% and international travelers soaring by 89.8%.

Regarding air cargo, shipments experienced a marginal decrease of less than 6% in January compared to the previous year. Commercial freight declined by only 3.3%, totaling 56,429 tons, while mail shipments fell by 39.4%.

“We are optimistic about Ontario’s prospects for even higher passenger volumes this year and the recovery of the global air cargo market,” Elkadi said.

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