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California's Ontario International Airport Sets a Record for Travelers

Posted on: Thursday, 28 July 2005, 00:00 CDT

Jul. 28--Ontario International Airport posted the busiest first half in its history, hosting nearly 3.5 million passengers through the end of June.

Passenger volume dipped slightly in June but remained 2.4 percent ahead of the first six months of 2004.

The results matched gains at airports throughout the region.

--Palm Springs International Airport saw an additional 36,000 passengers in the first half of 2005 for a 4.5 percent gain.

--At LAX, nearly 30 million passengers used the airport for a 1.8 percent growth rate.

--John Wayne Airport is up 5.8 percent, with nearly 260,000 more passengers through the first half of the year.

Mark Thorpe, director of air service marketing for Ontario International, said the airport should post a stronger second half. After a robust and record-breaking 2004, growth has slowed in 2005, even though a passenger record has been set.

"Summer is really the peak travel season," Thorpe said by phone. "By the end of the year, we could be back up to 6 or 7 percent growth."

The airport will get a boost with added service in September. Ted, United Airlines' low-cost spin-off, will add a pair of daily flights to San Francisco. Delta Air Lines also is expanding its service with a fourth daily flight to Atlanta.

Bryant Francis, marketing director for Palm Springs International Airport, said the desert airport has grown its passenger volume with the help of an expanded schedule.

Palm Springs is on pace to top 1.4 million passengers for the first time. Ontario should cross 7 million.

Alan Bender, an airline-industry expert and professor with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, cited strength in the economy, lower airfares and pent up demand from passengers who shunned air travel after 9/11 as factors for resurgence in passenger volumes.

"Planes are flying at record high load factors to the point that, on busy weekends, there are people who want to fly and can't buy a seat," Bender said.

At the same time, airlines are still struggling to turn a profit in the face of high fuel costs.

COME FLY WITH ME: Southern California air travel grew in the first half of 2005:

--Ontario: up 2.4 percent

--Palm Springs: up 4.5 percent

--LAX: up 1.8 percent

--John Wayne: up 5.8 percent

Source: The airports

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UALAQ, DAL,

Source: The Press-Enterprise

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