Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) is projected to welcome around 2.2 million passengers this summer, marking a significant uptick of 15.1% from the previous year Based on current projections, about 2,183,000 travelers are expected to transit through ONT from Friday, May 24, to Monday, September 2.. Officials foresee an additional 287,000 passengers utilizing ONT compared to the previous summer, which saw nearly 1.9 million passengers.

“We are eagerly anticipating the hustle and bustle of summer travel given high customer satisfaction for our gateway airport,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario international Airport Authority. “Passengers can rest assured they will experience the same world-class, hassle-free experience that is our hallmark.”

Projected passenger volumes by month are as follows:

• June: 657,297
• July: 670,747
• August: 651,467

The surge in popularity at ONT among air travelers can be attributed not only to increased demand but also to the introduction and expansion of air services to 10 U.S. destinations since the previous summer. These expansions include:

• Denver (DEN): Up to nine daily departures, featuring four daily flights from Southwest Airlines, three daily flights from United Airlines (up from two in summer 2023), and two daily flights from Frontier Airlines.
• El Paso (ELP): New service three times a week with Frontier Airlines starting May 17.
• Southwest Airlines now offers daily service at Houston Hobby (HOU).
• Houston Intercontinental (IAH): Eleven new weekly departures; four weekly flights via Frontier Airlines beginning May 17 and daily service by United Airlines starting May 23.
• Nashville (BNA): New daily service via Southwest Airlines starting June 4.
• Phoenix (PHX): Up to 10 daily departures, including five with Southwest Airlines, four with American Airlines (up from three daily in summer 2023), and one offered by Frontier Airlines.
• Portland, Ore. (PDX): Up to five daily departures, including three by Alaska Airlines (up from one daily in summer 2023), one with Frontier Airlines (which began in April), and Sunday-only service on Southwest Airlines.
• Sacramento (SMF): New daily service on Frontier Airlines beginning July 10, complementing up to five daily flights with Southwest Airlines.
• Salt Lake City (SLC): Four daily departures, with three provided by Delta Air Lines and one by Frontier Airlines (which began in April).
• Seattle (SEA): As many as nine daily departures, featuring four by Alaska Airlines, four by Delta Air Lines (up from three daily in summer 2023), and one by Frontier Airlines beginning May 16.

Airlines are offering over 2.7 million seats from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with an expected 80% occupancy rate. This summer, the number of available seats is more than 18% higher than the previous year.

“Southern California is a great place to be during the summer, and the Inland Empire, in particular, has become a premier international destination.  Ontario International is the ideal gateway for anyone to reach all that our dynamic region has to offer,” Elkadi said.

Upon arrival at ONT, passengers will have the opportunity to experience Mi Casa Cantina in Terminal 4, which offers original, authentic, and innovative Mexican cuisine. This addition is part of a significant expansion in dining and shopping concessions that has taken place since last year. Other recent in-terminal additions include Brewery X and the first-ever Top Golf Swing Suite in an airport.

Elkadi also highlighted several customer-friendly features of the ONT experience, including curbside access for ride-share services, access to Aspire Executive Lounges, 3Sixty Duty-Free shopping, convenient hourly and daily parking near passenger terminals, and discounts on airport parking for pre-booked reservations.

The post Ontario Airport Gears Up for 15.1% Surge in Passenger Numbers, Expected to Exceed 2.2 Million this summer appeared first on Travel And Tour World.