Inland Empire gateway airport also saw double-digit growth in cargo

(Ontario, California – March 26, 2026) – The number of passengers traveling through Ontario International Airport (ONT) in February increased by 6.3% and cargo shipments grew by 10.3% compared to the same month last year.

The Southern California gateway reported that more than 478,000 passengers flew into and out of ONT last month. Domestic volume grew by 2.1% – to 433,094 – while international customer counts remained strong, increasing by 55.1% – to 55,531.

Year-to-date, the number of air passengers climbed to more than 971,000, an increase of 5%. The number of domestic travelers was essentially flat at 849,708, with international travelers at 121,812, an increase of 60%.

“As we approach ten years of local ownership, ONT has evolved into a gateway that reflects the energy and growth of the Inland Empire and greater Southern California. Our focus on accessibility and ease of travel continues to resonate with passengers and airlines alike, and we’re proud to play a central role in connecting this dynamic region to the world,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA).

Passenger Totals	Feb 2026	Feb 2025	Change	YTD 2026	YTD 2025	Change
Domestic	423,094	414,286	2.1%	849,708	849,205	0.1%
International	55,531	35,807	55.1%	121,812	76,127	60.0%
Total	478,625	450,093	6.3%	971,520	925,332	5.0%

 

The air carriers with the greatest passenger shares in February were:

1. Southwest Airlines (35.4%)
2. American Airlines (17.0%)
3. Alaska Airlines (10.6%)
4. Delta Air Lines (9.0%)
5. United Airlines (8.9%)

 

Air cargo grew overall by 10.1% in February with commercial freight up by 13.1% while the volume of mail decreased by 5.4%.

Air cargo (tonnage)	Feb 2026	Feb 2025	Change	YTD 2026	YTD 2025	Change
Freight	57,331	50,606	13.3%	114,646	103,029	11.3%
Mail	9,197	9,727	-5.4%	18,722	20,630	-9.2%
Total	66,529	60,333	10.3%	133,369	123,659	7.9%

 

“As a top 10 air cargo hub with world-class facilities, we take pride in delivering the first-rate customer service our shipping partners demand when they need it,” Elkadi said.