Ontario International Airport
(ONT) recently celebrated the completion of its $90 million runway rehabilitation project, which will enhance safety for the millions of passengers using the airport in San Bernadino County, California. ONT, as it is more commonly known, is about two miles from downtown Ontario, California
, or 38 miles east of downtown Los Angeles
.

Over a year of construction

The project, which was completed in two stages, Year 1 and Year 2, commenced Y1 in February last year and recommenced Y2 in February this year. The rehabilitation included repaving over 80,000 square yards of the airport’s southernmost runway (8R-26L) and removing old concrete. It also included upgrading and removing selected taxiways and the construction of a new taxiway, S8.

Installing state-of-the-art LED lighting was another technological improvement to improve the airport’s overall infrastructure.

The FAA covered two-thirds of improvement costs

The airport, which serves as a secondary gateway to the greater Los Angeles area, received $67 million of the $90 million project cost through grants from the Federal Aviation Administration’s
Airport Improvement Program (AIP). ONT airport itself funded the balance through generated revenues.

ONT was also awarded $4 in AIP funding to assist in the design of the airport’s northernmost runway and rehabilitation east of the Taxiway U project.

ontario-sunrise

Photo: Ontario International Airport

As published on the airport website, Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners, thanked Congress for their efforts and securing funding for the airport upgrades:

“We want to thank Congresswoman Norma Torres, our elected leadership in Washington, D.C., and our regulatory partners for their tireless efforts in securing the funding needed to bring this important project to conclusion. Their unwavering support of Ontario International Airport has allowed us to address critical needs, invest in airport operations and create an unparalleled travel experience for one of the most vibrant population and economic centers in the United States.”

Continued growth for ONT

Ontario International Airport recently celebrated 42 months of consecutive year-over-year passenger growth and is set to surpass seven million passengers this calendar year. The airport was returned to local ownership in 2016 and has seen passenger numbers improve by 75% since then.

ONT also stands as one of the top 10 cargo airports in the United States, being a hub for FedEx Express, UPS Airlines
, Ameriflight, and a focus city for Amazon Air. On the airport’s runway improvement project’s completion, Ontario International Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Atif Elkadi thanked all those involved:

“We appreciate all of the support we have received, from our Congressional leaders, our airline and business partners, and, of course, this dynamic region we serve. It is an honor, too, to be able to fulfill the vision, passion and commitment of our Board of Commissioners as we connect the world to the Inland Empire – the new heart of Southern California.”

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