Buoyed by strong customer confidence and the first full year of local control, Ontario International Airport (ONT) closed 2017 with higher passenger volumes than in any year since 2010, while cargo tonnage continued its run of double-digit increases.
Most striking in the latest ONT data was the year-end passenger count of more than 4.5 million, 7% higher than 2016. For the month of December, ONT saw more than 410,000 air travelers, almost 10% more than December 2016.
Freight tonnage continued to grow at a robust pace of almost 14% in December, rising to more than 72,000 metric tons from 63,000 tons in December 2016. For calendar year 2017, cargo shipments rose more than 15% over 2016.
“Our aggressive and persistent efforts to position ONT as the new gateway to Southern California are reflected in solid, month-over-month increases in both customers and cargo,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “The strong momentum built in 2017, the first full year of local control of ONT, gives us great optimism for what lies ahead in 2018.”
Based on airline schedules for 2018, the number of seats available on all scheduled commercial flights is expected to exceed 2017 on a monthly basis. More than 6.2 million seats will be available for ONT travel in 2018, 10% higher than last year and the high mark since 2010.
In the spring, China Airlines will launch much anticipated non-stop passenger service between Taiwan and ONT.
“We look forward to maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction with more options for travel in Southern California, improvements to our facilities and expanded amenities,” Wapner said. “Ontario is the place to be for convenient, hassle-free air travel in 2018.”