Ontario International Airport Anticipates Busy Memorial Day Weekend
With an uptick in travel demand, Ontario International Airport (ONT) expects to welcome over 115,000 passengers during the Memorial Day weekend. This impressive figure represents a 4.6% growth compared to the same holiday period last year.
Projected Passenger Volumes and Flight Availability
Air travel is ramping up for the holiday. Airport officials have identified that Friday and Memorial Day itself will be the busiest days throughout the five-day weekend. Here are the anticipated passenger volumes for each day:
Scheduled Passenger Count
On Thursday, the airport expects around 24,300 passengers, which will increase slightly with 25,315 passengers predicted on Friday. Travelers will see approximately 20,396 passengers on Saturday, followed by 19,552 on Sunday. Finally, Monday is expected to reach a peak of 25,895 passengers as families head home.
Seating Capacity and Increased Services
Airlines have responded to this heightened demand by scheduling more than 137,000 seats available for arriving and departing flights this Memorial Day weekend. This marks a 9% increase from last year, reflecting the growing popularity of the airport.
"As we embrace another record-breaking summer travel season, ONT is delighted to facilitate travelers connecting to various destinations. We are committed to enhancing our services for our community and international travelers," remarked Atif Elkadi, the CEO of Ontario International Airport Authority.
Expanding Destination Network
This summer, travelers can enjoy the convenience of new routes and expanded services to numerous destinations from ONT. Airlines will introduce flights to bustling cities like Baltimore/Washington, Chicago O'Hare, and New York JFK, alongside exciting international destinations such as Taipei and multiple cities in Mexico.
Overall Airline Growth
It’s predicted that approximately 2.2 million travelers will use ONT over the summer months. This forecast indicates a 1.7% increase compared to the previous year, demonstrating ongoing growth at this key Southern California gateway.
Record Growth Over Recent Years
The increase in air traffic throughout 2025 is impressive, following a notable year in 2024 when the airport served over 7 million passengers — a remarkable 10.2% rise from 2023. This surge has made Ontario International Airport one of California's fastest-growing mid-sized airports. The passenger count recorded last year was 27% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019, reflecting strategic improvements made since local control transitioned from the City of Los Angeles in 2016.
About Ontario International Airport
Ontario International Airport, recognized as California's leading mid-sized airport by J.D. Power's recent satisfaction study, is conveniently located about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, right in the heart of Southern California. ONT serves as a full-service airport, providing nonstop commercial jet services to two dozen major U.S. airports, as well as destinations in Mexico, Central America, and Taiwan.
Contact Information
For media inquiries, please reach out to:
Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ontario International Airport expecting for Memorial Day weekend?
ONT anticipates welcoming over 115,000 passengers during the Memorial Day weekend, a 4.6% increase from last year.
Which days are expected to be the busiest?
Friday and Memorial Day itself are forecasted to be the busiest days of the five-day holiday weekend.
How many seats are available for flights?
There are more than 137,000 seats available for arriving and departing flights this Memorial Day weekend.
What new flight routes will be available this summer?
ONT will introduce new flights to destinations like Baltimore/Washington, Chicago O'Hare, New York JFK, and several international spots.
What growth has Ontario International Airport experienced recently?
In 2024, ONT reported over 7 million passengers, marking a 10.2% increase compared to the previous year and substantial growth since pre-pandemic times in 2019.