ONTARIO, Calif. – Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) President and Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner today announced that ownership of Ontario International Airport (ONT) has officially transferred from Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA).

[ecko_quote source=”Alan Wapner, Ontario City Council Member”]The OIAA is honored and proud to assume control and operation of ONT on behalf of the coalition of counties and cities that supported local control for ONT over a number of years.[/ecko_quote]

The announcement comes after more than four years of collaboration between leaders across the L.A. region to transition the airport to local control. The transfer became official after final approval and issuance of an Airport Operating Certificate earlier today by the Federal Aviation Administration and the defeasance by the OIAA of $55.5 million in outstanding bonds issued by LAWA.

The transfer process began on August 6, 2015, with the announcement that the cities of Los Angeles and Ontario had agreed to a settlement of litigation over management of ONT. The settlement included terms to allow the transfer of ownership of ONT to the OIAA subject to approvals by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, Los Angeles City Council, Ontario City Council, the OIAA, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Final approvals by all parties were obtained early this year. Since then, all stakeholders have worked cooperatively in collaboration with the FAA to complete the transaction.

Alan D. Wapner, OIAA President and Ontario City Council Member, heralded the transfer as a major step forward in regional cooperation that will help ensure Southern California has the sufficient airport capacity to meet the growing demand for air service.

“The OIAA is honored and proud to assume control and operation of ONT on behalf of the coalition of counties and cities that supported local control for ONT over a number of years,” said Wapner. “We are grateful to Mayor Garcetti and LAWA CEO Deborah Flint for their commitment to airport regionalization that has made this historic day a reality.”

Mayor Garcetti – who has made regional collaboration a top priority for his administration – also celebrated the milestone as a significant step forward for air travel, improving air quality, and connectivity across the region.

“Southern California is more than just a group of cities and communities – we are one region, and there’s no limit to what we can accomplish when we work together,” said Mayor Garcetti. “I have supported this transfer of Ontario International Airport to local control since I came into office, because nothing is more important than doing what’s right for the travelers, workers, and neighborhood residents who want improved air travel, better connectivity, and local oversight. I’m pleased by the cooperation and partnership that brought us to this day, and proud to celebrate this incredible milestone.”

“Transferring Ontario International Airport was a historic process requiring tremendous cooperation, teamwork and collaboration,” said LAWA Executive Director Deborah Flint. “I’m proud of the work that was done by ONT staff, the OIAA and FAA officials, and am grateful to all of the airport staff, airlines, tenants, local businesses, community leaders, and travelers who have supported ONT while under LAWA’s care for nearly 50 years.”

OIAA CEO Kelly J. Fredericks said, “Although a relative newcomer to the ONT transfer process, I have been afforded a front row and behind the scenes view of the efforts made to make this historic transaction take place. Never in my career have I seen such collaboration and cooperation by so many people, all with a single goal of returning ONT to local control.”

About Ontario International Airport

ONT is located in the Inland Empire, approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a medium-hub, full-service airport with direct commercial jet service to 15 major U.S. cities and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There are approximately 62 daily departures offered by 8 air carriers. For more information about ONT, visit www.flyOntario.com.

About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)

The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport’s four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), Ontario Council Member Jim W. Bowman, San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman, Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President) and Orange County Business Council President and CEO Lucy Dunn (Secretary).

About the City of Ontario

The City of Ontario is located in southwest San Bernardino County with a population of 163,924 (2010 census). It is uniquely positioned as the center of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. It offers access to the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles as well as a transportation corridor that stretches west to east along Interstate 10 as well as connections directly to Canada and Mexico via Interstate 15. The city is governed by a five-member council: Mayor Paul S. Leon, Mayor pro Tem Debra Dorst-Porada, Council Members Jim W. Bowman, Alan D. Wapner and Paul Vincent Avila.

Ontario International Airport Authority, 1923 East Avion Street, Ontario, CA 91761