Ontario International Airport passes four million passengers in 2026

International

Southern California airport reports 1.3% passenger growth through July, while international traffic jumps nearly 37% year on year

Ontario International Airport in Southern California handled more than four million passengers during the first seven months of 2026, continuing its growth despite a slight year-on-year decline in July. A total of 4,085,992 travellers passed through the airport between January and July, 1.3% more than during the same period in 2025.

International traffic was the strongest growth driver. The airport recorded 403,385 international passengers during the seven-month period, an increase of 36.9% year on year. The figures reinforce Ontario International’s growing role as an alternative gateway to the Greater Los Angeles and Southern California market.

July brings more than 673,000 passengers

In July alone, Ontario International Airport handled 673,413 passengers, slightly fewer than in the same month last year.

Domestic travellers continued to account for the vast majority of traffic, with 616,247 passengers. International traffic reached 57,166 passengers, representing a modest increase of 0.4% compared with July 2025.

The contrast between July’s relatively stable international figures and the 36.9% increase recorded since the beginning of the year indicates that much of the international expansion occurred during the preceding months.

International traffic drives expansion

Airport management sees the figures as evidence of the strength of the Southern California market, particularly at a time when international travel to the United States is facing a challenging environment.

“Ontario International continues to demonstrate the strength and resilience of our airport and the market we serve,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority.

“More than 4 million passengers have already traveled through ONT this year, and our international passenger volume is up nearly 37% at a time when international travel to the U.S. is facing significant headwinds.”

Elkadi attributed the development to the regional market and airline confidence in the airport, describing ONT as an increasingly important aviation gateway for Southern California.

Ontario strengthens its role in Southern California

Located east of Los Angeles, Ontario International serves the Inland Empire and the wider Southern California region. Its passenger development in 2026 reflects both continued domestic demand and a rapidly expanding international business.

With international passengers now accounting for almost one in ten travellers during the first seven months of the year, this segment is becoming increasingly important to the airport’s traffic mix.

The airport entered the second half of 2026 with passenger numbers above the previous year’s level and international traffic showing particularly strong gains, providing a foundation for further growth during the remainder of the year.