Ontario Airport News Release

(Ontario, California – August 25, 1999) An international air service study shows that Ontario International Airport (ONT) has the potential to serve and support international flights to Mexico City, Guadalajara, Vancouver and the United Kingdom. The results of the study were announced at an Ontario City Council meeting on Aug. 24 by SH & E International Transport Consultancy, a private transportation consulting firm contracted by ONT and the City of Ontario.

The study concludes that international markets with the greatest potential for new service at ONT are:

· Mexico City and Guadalajara – These are the two largest Los Angeles-Mexico

markets which have the immediate potential to support two to four daily nonstop

roundtrips. ONT served these markets for a few months but service was terminated during Mexico’s economic crisis in the mid 1990’s. 

· Vancouver – This is one of the largest and fastest growing U.S.-Canada markets

which has a reasonable potential for nonstop service in the near future. Canadian low fare carriers are the most likely candidates for ONT service.

· United Kingdom – The United Kingdom, and specifically London, is the

largest Los Angeles-Europe air travel market. ONT has a realistic, near term potential to develop scheduled air service in the European market as the overall Los Angeles-Europe market grows. A new entrant or "niche" carrier would be the most likely candidate to serve ONT.

 "This report and the actions that will follow it are one more step in our efforts to take a regional approach in meeting the air capacity needs of the four counties surrounding Los Angeles County," said Lydia H. Kennard, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Executive Director, "and our partnership with the City of Ontario is a powerful one. We feel confident international service is in Ontario’s future."

Dr. Warren Valdry, a member of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, added, "When you have one of the top airports in the world---LAX---working with an outstanding city like Ontario, a city that wants more service, your chances of success are greatly increased."

The study also found that:

· ONT has a large population base in its immediate vicinity. There are approximately 5.6 million people that live within 30 miles of ONT.

· ONT captures an average of 14 percent of the total greater Los Angeles area Origin & Destination passengers in markets that have nonstop service at ONT. ONT is served by low fare airlines and most major U.S. airlines, and offers 98 daily flights to 16 domestic cities. 

· ONT is well situated to serve the Southern California market. It is located in the fastest growing part of the Los Angeles metro area and conveniently situated near Southern California tourist attractions.

 ONT is located approximately 40 miles east of Los Angeles in the Inland Empire region. The medium-hub airport is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles through LAWA, which also owns and operates Los Angeles International, Van Nuys and Palmdale Regional Airports.

In September 1998, ONT opened two new terminals that feature a total of 530,000 square feet of terminal space, 26 loading bridges, airfield improvements, 5,000 additional parking spaces, expanded roadways, a new $9 million Ground Transportation Center, 17 premium retail shops and restaurants, and a $1.5 million public art program. A third terminal will be constructed when ONT serves 10 million annual passengers in two consecutive years. ONT currently handles 6.4 million passengers a year.