Passenger and Freight Traffic GROWING Across Area Airports
Economic impact studies of airports across the country 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, boosts a region’s economic output. Finally, access to an international airport provides ease of travel for county residents and visitors as well as 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 90 daily nonstop flights to more than 30 destinations. Passenger travel at ONT reached a new peak of 7,116,735 in 2025, representing a 67% increase over the past decade (2016-2025). Expanded nonstop service to Latin American and Asia fueled an annual increase of 30% in international passengers between 2024 and 2025.
After an uptick in freight traffic during the COVID pandemic, freight volume returned to roughly pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Since that time, it has increased, reaching 835,129 tons in 2025. Overall, freight volume has grown 47% over the past decade, with a 5% increase between 2024 and 2025.
ONT airport has goals to increase seat capacity, provide connecting opportunities for travelers from Southern California, maintain high customer satisfaction, and expand terminal facilities. It also continues to expand its role as a major global supply chain hub, following recent warehousing expansion and planned logistics park development. The most recent economic impact data for Ontario International Airport estimated an impact of $3.8 billion in 2022, supporting $2.2 billion in GDP and 27,800 jobs.
ONT PASSENGER VOLUME REACHES NEW PEAK
Annual Passenger and Freight Volume, Ontario Airport, 2016-2025
San Bernardino International Airport
SBD is classified nationally as a primary airport and major air cargo hub, and services continue to grow. In 2023 and 2024 SBD ranked 25th in the nation in dedicated freight activity, with landed weight of air cargo aircraft exceeding 1.3 billion pounds each year since 2022. Freight service has grown nearly 700% over the last 10 years, from 303 tons of freight in 2016 to 210,500 tons in 2025.
Breeze Airways began passenger airline service at SBD in 2022, and currently offers direct flights to San Francisco and Provo, Utah. Passenger service is also increasing, reaching a new peak of 62,753 passengers in 2025, a one-year increase of 60%. As of the end of 2024, a total of 18,342 jobs had been created in partnership with the Inland Valley Development Agency, resulting in more than $5 billion in direct, indirect, and induced economic impact.
SBD PASSENGER GROWTH CLIMBS
Annual Passenger and Freight Volume, San Bernardino Airport, 2016-2025
[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)