Ontario International Airport (ONT) Sees 1% Passenger Growth, 8% Cargo Surge in 2025
Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California reported steady growth through September 2025, welcoming over 5.2 million passengers and achieving an 8% increase in cargo volumes, airport officials announced on October 23. The figures reflect Ontario’s continued role as a key Southern California aviation hub for both passenger and freight operations.
From January through September, ONT handled 5,278,316 passengers, marking a 0.8% year-over-year increase. Domestic travel accounted for 4,885,308 passengers, a slight 0.3% decline compared to the same period in 2024. In contrast, international traffic surged 17%, reaching 393,008 travelers, highlighting strong cross-border demand and growing international route options.
In September alone, Ontario International welcomed 599,086 passengers, down 1.1% from the previous year, ending a 54-month streak of uninterrupted growth. The total included 554,651 domestic travelers (a 3.6% decrease) and 44,435 international passengers, which jumped 45.7% year-over-year.
Meanwhile, air cargo volume exceeded 600,000 tons, an 8% increase over the first nine months of 2024, signaling robust e-commerce and logistics activity in the Inland Empire region. Airport officials attribute the continued cargo strength to Ontario’s strategic location near major distribution centers and efficient airport operations.
Ontario International remains one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, maintaining solid passenger and freight performance despite industry-wide challenges such as capacity constraints and shifting travel trends.
Despite last month’s modest decline, ONT passenger volume remains 28% above pre-pandemic levels, the highest percentage among the 10 largest airports in California.
| PassengerTotals | Sept2025 | Sept2024 | Change | YTD2025 | YTD2024 | Change |
| Domestic | 554,651 | 575,513 | -3.6% | 4,885,308 | 4,901,447 | -0.3% |
| International | 44,435 | 30,502 | 45.7% | 393,008 | 335,769 | 17.0% |
| Total | 599,086 | 606,015 | -1.1% | 5,278,316 | 5,237,216 | 0.8% |
The top five air carriers based on passenger volume share in September were:
- Southwest Airlines (37.4%)
- American Airlines (14.4%)
- United Airlines (10.6%)
- Delta Air Lines (9.8%)
- Frontier Airlines (9.6%)
“Fifty-four months of consecutive growth is something few airports can claim, and it reflects the spirit of the Inland Empire,” said Atif Elkadi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “A streak may pause, but our purpose never does. ONT has always risen to the challenge, and this is simply the beginning of our next bold chapter of more records to break.”
Air cargo tonnage rose for the 15th straight month in September by 1% compared with the same month last year. The volume of mail increased by 38.8% while freight declined by 3.9%.
| Air cargo(tonnage) | Sept2025 | Sept2024 | Change | YTD2025 | YTD2024 | Change |
| Freight | 55,143 | 57,371 | -3.9% | 507,031 | 527,410 | -3.9% |
| 10,443 | 7,526 | 38.8% | 98,064 | 31,586 | 210.5% | |
| Total | 65,587 | 64,897 | 1.1% | 605,095 | 558,996 | 8.2% |
Through the first nine months of the year, air cargo tonnage was 8.2% higher than the same period in 2024 with mail volume up by 210% and freight down 3.9%.
“We are always grateful to our shipping partners who recognize the value in Ontario and the surrounding communities we serve as the destination of choice for air cargo in Southern California,” Elkadi said.
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the second most popular mid-sized airport in the United States, according to J.D. Power’s most recent North America Airport Satisfaction Study. 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 offers nonstop commercial jet service to two dozen major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter)and Instagram.
Ontario International Airport Authority (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 leaders include Ontario Mayor pro Tem Alan D. Wapner (President), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Treasurer) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=Ontario+Airport
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, www.flyOntario.com