Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is urging cooperation between Los Angeles and Inland Empire leaders to restore the economic health of Ontario International Airport (ONT).

In a letter to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Feinstein indicated that between 2007 and 2012, ONT lost 49 percent of its flights, causing gates to shut down, concession to leave and significant job losses.

Feinstein wrote: “I have heard deep concerns from many business and community leaders that the decline of Ontario International Airport traffic will have a long lasting, negative regional impact on the Inland Empire. I urge you to reach out to Inland Empire leaders to develop a cooperative strategy to address the challenges at the airport.

“Many airports across the Nation and in California have made significant progress in their recovery since the recession. Airports with similar challenges to Ontario have worked with local business leaders, transit agencies, and governments to put plans together to improve transportation access, reach out to new carriers, waive fees and offer other incentives to attract international service, and market the strengths of their facilities,” Feinstein added.

Full text of the letter follows:

December 18, 2013

The Honorable Eric Garcetti
Mayor, City of Los Angeles
City Hall
200 North Spring Street, Room 300
Los Angeles, California 90012

Dear Mayor Garcetti:

I am writing to request your involvement and ultimately your leadership to restore Ontario International Airport (“ONT”) to economic health. I have heard deep concerns from many business and community leaders that the decline of ONT traffic will have a long lasting, negative regional impact on the Inland Empire. I urge you to reach out to Inland Empire leaders to develop a cooperative strategy to address the challenges at the airport.

Inland Empire Mayors, County Supervisors, and community leaders have approached me and my staff expressing their deep concern over economic growth in the area. The region has been greatly affected by the economic downturn, and unemployment remains around 11 percent. Many Inland Empire leaders inform me that they are eager to work with you to restore ONT as a successful transportation hub and economic driver for the region.

As I am sure you are aware, ONT continues to struggle – gates are shutting down, concessions are leaving, and jobs are being lost. Between 2007 and 2012, ONT lost 49 percent of its flights, the largest drop of any airport in California, while average fares have risen 17 percent since 2010. To cover costs, per passenger fees are among the highest in the nation.

Many airports across the Nation and in California have made significant progress in their recovery since the recession. Airports with similar challenges to Ontario have worked with local business leaders, transit agencies, and governments to put plans together to improve transportation access, reach out to new carriers, waive fees and offer other incentives to attract international service, and market the strengths of their facilities.

Recently initiated marketing and fee waiver incentive programs modeled on the successful efforts of other airports appear to be bearing fruit at ONT. Service expansions at ONT by United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, AeroMexico, and Volaris demonstrate that ONT traffic can be restored.

I am optimistic that cooperation between you and Inland Empire leaders will turn around ONT. I urge you to exhaust all options and to sit down with leaders in Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to bring Ontario Airport back to economic vitality.

Thank you for your time and consideration to this matter. Please know you can count on me and my staff to help in any way we can.

Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator