ONTARIO, Calif., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ontario International Airport is being honored by lawmakers at the county and state level, commemorating its return to local control and celebrating its remarkable growth over the past decade.
On Tuesday, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors proclaimed November 1 of each year as “ONT Day,” honoring the determination and collaboration of the City of Ontario, San Bernardino County, and regional leaders who worked for years to reclaim the airport and establish a locally governed aviation gateway.
Resolutions have also been advanced at the state level by 53rd District Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez and State Senator Susan Rubio.
The recognition comes as ONT celebrates the 10th anniversary of its formal return to local control, which took place on November 1, 2016.
“That day changed the trajectory of Ontario International Airport and, in many ways, the Inland Empire itself,” said Dr. Ronald O. Loveridge, President of the OIAA Board of Commissioners. “What began as a bold effort to return a vital regional asset to local control has become one of Southern California’s great success stories. We are deeply grateful to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, Assemblymember Rodriguez and Senator Rubio for recognizing this historic achievement.”
Since the transfer of ownership, ONT has significantly expanded domestic and international air service, strengthened its position as a major global logistics hub and earned national recognition for its passenger experience. Annual passenger volume has grown from approximately 4.2 million in 2016 to more than 7 million today.
The benefits have extended well beyond the airport itself. ONT’s economic output has increased 78% under local control, while the number of jobs supported by airport activity has grown 72%—underscoring its increasingly important role as an economic engine for the Inland Empire and Southern California.
“Local control gave this region the opportunity to shape its own future, and our team has worked every day to turn that opportunity into results,” said Atif Elkadi, Chief Executive Officer of the OIAA. “ONT Day recognizes the people who believed in this airport and the employees, partners and community members who continue to move it forward. We are proud of what we have accomplished together, and our responsibility now is to build on that progress with more travel options, an exceptional airport experience and greater economic opportunity for the region we call home.”
ONT will celebrate its Decade of Local Control at its State of the Airport Gala on November 6.
About Ontario International Airport
Ranked as the second most popular mid-sized airport by J.D. Power, Ontario International Airport (ONT) serves more than 7 million passengers per year and offers nonstop service to more than two dozen major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. ONT is owned and operated by the Ontario International Airport Authority, a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and San Bernardino County. More information is available at flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, X and Instagram.
OIAA Media Contact:
Steve Lambert 909-841-7527 slambert@flyOntario.com
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SOURCE Ontario International Airport
