Passenger and Freight Traffic Remain Strong Across Area Airports
Economic impact studies of airports nationwide consistently provide powerful evidence of the economic multiplier effect airports have on a region’s economy. For example, dollars generated by airport-related activities are re-spent and circulated throughout the region, stimulating the local economy. Further, direct jobs generated by airport operations, as well as indirect jobs spurred by the airport’s demand for a range of aviation-related goods and services, boost a region’s economic output. Finally, access to an international airport provides ease of travel for county residents and visitors, and supports the efficient movement of goods into and out of the county.[1] As such, Ontario International Airport (ONT) and San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) are among San Bernardino County’s most important economic drivers. This indicator tracks passenger and freight volumes at ONT and SBD.
TREND
Ontario International Airport
ONT offers 11 international and domestic carriers, with 80 daily nonstop flights to more than 26 destinations. Passenger travel at ONT reached a peak of 7,084,864 in 2024, representing a 68% increase over the past decade (2015-2024), and 10% annual growth.
ONT freight traffic has grown 56% over the past decade, with some variability during the COVID-19 pandemic potentially fueled by a pandemic-driven increase in online shopping. Between 2023 and 2024, freight traffic has increased 5%.
ONT continued to fortify its role as a major global supply chain hub in recent years, including a $290 million FedEx Express project, a UPS Western Regional Air Hub processing over 400,000 packages daily, and expansion of Amazon warehousing in Ontario. The economic impact of Ontario International Airport in 2022 was estimated at $3.8 billion, supporting $2.2 billion in GDP and 27,800 jobs.
PASSENGER VOLUME REACHES NEW PEAK
Annual Passenger and Freight Volume, Ontario Airport, 2015-2024
San Bernardino International Airport
SBD services continue to grow. In 2016, SBD provided 303 tons of freight services. By 2024, freight service grew to 225,500 tons, which represents a nearly 750% increase.
Passenger service was added in August of 2022 and as of February 2025, includes direct non-stop service to San Francisco and Provo, provided by Breeze. Passenger travel has grown from 20,284 in 2022 to 39,257 in 2024, with a peak of 54,693 in 2023, when Breeze offered seasonal flights to Phoenix and Las Vegas.
SBD is an air cargo hub, with volume growth that has outpaced cargo growth nationally. In 2023, SBD was the 25th busiest cargo airport in the country, and in 2024 the landed weight of air cargo aircraft at SBD reached 1.364 billion pounds. As of the end of 2023, a total of 18,101 jobs had been created in partnership with the Inland Valley Development Agency, resulting in more than $4.8 billion in direct, indirect, and induced economic impact.
SBD FREIGHT AND PASSENGER GROWTH CLIMB
Annual Passenger and Freight Volume, San Bernardino Airport, 2016-2024
[1] Federal Aviation Administration, Airport Corporate Research Program, “Understanding Air Service and Regional Economic Activity,” https://crp.trb.org/acrpwebresource12/understanding-air-service-and-regional-economic-activity/ (accessed April 7, 2025); Airports Council International/North America, “2024 Economic Impact Study,” https://airportscouncil.org/intelligence/economic-impact-study/ (accessed April 7, 2025)