A decision by the Los Angeles World Airports board of commissioners would appear to soften their stance on returning LA/Ontario International Airport to local control, though LAWA has posted a new website saying otherwise.
The airport board tabled a resolution during their regular meeting on Monday that would have stated that the Ontario airport would not be available for a transfer or sale for at least two years.
But LAWA also has launched an online page aimed at explaining why it should retain control of LA/Ontario International Airport.
The page, named “LA/Ontario — The Facts,” provides links to the Inland Empire airport’s financial reports dating back to 2001, along with images and photos of the regional facility, located about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
In December, Ontario city leaders launched their own site, “Set Ontario Free,” aimed at gaining support for their efforts to regain control of the airport from Los Angeles.
Los Angeles City Councilmen Bill Rosendahl and Dennis Zine introduced a resolution in January calling for a full financial study to determine the fair-market value of Ontario airport’s facilities and assets. The study will also evaluate LAWA’s management of the airport and whether it should be returned to Ontario.
The city of Los Angeles assumed management of the Ontario airport in 1967. The facility has lost one-third of its traveler base since 2007. Ontario city officials have repeatedly claimed that Los Angeles officials have allowed the airport to struggle while focusing on efforts to boost traffic at Los Angeles International Airport.
