Ontario International Airport Flies High With Record International Passenger Volume to Start 2024

Ontario International Airport (ONT) welcomed nearly 470,000 passengers in January, including a record-setting 45,012 international travelers, airport officials announced.

The all-time high for international travelers in a single month surpassed the previous record of 43,551 set last July and was nearly 90% more than January 2023.

The January total passenger volume of 469,589, a 9.5% increase over the same month last year, included 424,577 domestic passengers. The domestic figure represented 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 35th 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 pointed to strong job growth in the Inland Empire as a contributor to ONT's steady passenger growth, which continues to outpace peer airports. According to the Orange County Register, the Inland Empire gained 128,400 jobs between 2019 and 2023, making it the top job-producing region in the state of California.

Population growth in ONT's catchment area, meanwhile, has made the Inland Empire the 12th largest of 386 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the U.S., ahead of San Francisco and just behind No. 11 Boston, according to recent U.S. Census data.

Shipments of air cargo decreased by less than 6% in January compared with the same month last year. Commercial freight, which totaled 56,429 tons, was lower by just 3.3%.

"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.