LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles World Airports officials say passenger numbers at the embattled LA/Ontario International Airport finally gained some traction in 2014, growing by 4.05% to 3.7 million passengers from January through November as compared to 2013.
The numbers released Dec. 26 represent the first time the Ontario airport's passenger traffic hasn't declined in several years.
A Riverside County Superior Court judge has been hearing arguments for just over a year from Los Angeles and Ontario attorneys in a dispute between the two cities over control of the airport. Ontario seeks to end the joint-powers agreement in which it ceded control of the airport to Los Angeles in 1985.
Officials in Ontario and around the Inland Empire region believe that Los Angeles and its Los Angeles World Airports enterprise have neglected the Ontario airport to focus on building traffic and revenue at Los Angeles International Airport.
Jess Romo, ONT's airport manager, said in a statement that airport officials expect December will show growth, "and we will continue our work into 2015 to manage costs and keep the airport in a good, competitive position for our airline partners."
International traffic continues to grow with Mexican carriers AeroMexico and Volaris serving 79,839 passengers, an increase of more than 60% over the same period in 2013.
Along with AeroMexico's four weekly flights, Volaris is offering daily service to Guadalajara through January 14, 2015.
ONT is approximately 35 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It is a medium-hub, full-service airport with commercial service to 14 major U.S. cities and many international destinations.
