Ownership of Ontario International (ONT) has officially been transferred from Los Angeles World Airports to the Ontario International Airport Authority.
The transfer process, which began in August 2015, became official when the Federal Aviation Administration issued an Airport Operating Certificate and OIAA’s defeasance of $55.5 million in outstanding bonds LAWA issued.
“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 Alan Wapner, president of the OIAA and Ontario City Council member. “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.”
The cities of Los Angeles and Ontario agreed in 2015 to a settlement of litigation of ONT’s management. This settlement allowed for transfer subject to approval by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, Los Angeles City Council, Ontario City Council, the OIAA and the FAA.
“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,” says Kelly Fredericks, CEO of OIAA. “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.”
