Press Room

Posted on: Mon, 03/30/2020 - 09:02

Officials adjust operations and services as flight schedules are reduced 

(Ontario, California – March 30, 2020) – Ontario International Airport (ONT) officials are adjusting airport operations and services to reflect reduced passenger flight schedules in April as the aviation industry continues to feel the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. 

According to airline schedules published for April, passenger flights at ONT will be reduced by one-third, from 66 daily departures to 46, compared to March given declining demand for commercial air travel. As a result, passenger volumes will be reduced significantly while safe-at-home orders remain in place in states, counties and cities across the U.S. 

While airlines operating at ONT intend to reduce the number of flights to and from the airport, they plan to maintain service to all nonstop destinations with the exceptions of Houston Intercontinental (United Airlines) and Taiwan (China Airlines). Both passenger terminals will remain open during all hours of flight activity and Transportation Security Officers will continue to provide security screening.

“We continue to collaborate with our airport partners and stakeholders to plan for significantly reduced flight operations and expect demand to remain suppressed through the summer and possibly through the end of the year,” said Ontario International Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Mark Thorpe. “And In light of the reduced flight schedules, we are making adjustments to airport operations and services to reduce operating expenses.”

Airport food, beverage and retail concessionaires will adjust operating hours appropriate to the scheduled flights. 

Lot 5 and valet parking will be suspended until vehicular volumes return to normal levels. Parking lots 2, 3 and 4 will remain open. Customers can pre-book discounted parking at flyontario.com.

Likewise, Escape Lounges located in each terminal will be closed temporarily until near-normal passenger volumes return. 

Thorpe noted that enhancements made in February continue to benefit ONT travelers and employees by keeping airport restrooms and other public areas of our passenger terminals clean and reducing the potential for germs to spread. The changes included:

• Incorporating new passenger screening trays treated with powerful antimicrobial technology to inhibit the growth of bacteria on the surface of the bins used by travelers at the TSA checkpoints in ONT’s terminals. (ONT was the first U.S. airport to receive the new trays from SecurityPoint Media in partnership with Microban International.)
• Increasing the frequency and intensity of efforts to disinfect washrooms and other public areas with cleaning agents intended to kill germs.
• Adding stations where passengers and employees can access free hand sanitizer.

“We take matters related to the safety and well-being of air passengers and airport employees seriously, and we will remain vigilant in our efforts to minimize the spread of germs that might be harmful,” Thorpe said.

In addition to urging travelers to adhere to public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Thorpe directed passengers, employees and visitors to the ONT website for more airport-specific information.

# # #

About Ontario International Airport

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. 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 with nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 72 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)

The 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 Commissioners are Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).