Freight Traffic Highest in 10 Years
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. Economic benefits include direct and indirect jobs and a range of aviation-related activities and services, which boost the region’s economic output. Further, there is an “economic multiplier” effect as dollars generated by airport-related activities are re-spent and circulated throughout the local economy. Ontario International Airport (ONT) ranks among San Bernardino County’s most important economic drivers. This indicator tracks passenger and freight volumes at ONT.
How is San Bernardino County Doing?
TREND
Prior to travel restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, ONT had been experiencing strong growth in both freight and passenger volume. Over the 10-year period between 2010 and 2019, freight volume increased 99% and the number of passengers increased by 16%. Between 2016, when ONT returned to local control, and 2019, freight volume increased by 38% and passenger volume increased by 31%.
Although ONT passenger travel increased 9% between 2018 and 2019, it dropped 55% between 2019 and 2020 as a result of stay-at-home orders and reduced travel due to the COVID-19 crisis. The drop in passenger air travel was most notable in April 2020, when 28,916 people traveled compared to 444,948 in April 2019. In contrast, freight traffic grew significantly during this period, increasing 4% between 2018 and 2019, and 18% between 2019 and 2020 for a full 136% growth over the past 10 years.
ONT continued to fortify its role as a major global supply chain hub over the course of 2020, including the opening of a new 251,000-square-foot Fed Ex processing center in November. Additionally, airlines resumed or initiated new service from ONT to five destinations in 2020 and announced flights to another nine markets by Spring 2021.
PASSENGER AND FREIGHT VOLUME INCREASED STEADILY IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO 2020
Annual Passenger and Freight Volume, Ontario Airport, 2012-2022