Ontario and LAX Airports (Los Angeles, Empire: unemployment, live in, prices)

[allisonguru]

I keep reading about Ontario airport being in financial trouble and that it possibly will be sold off due to a slowdown in passenger traffic. I used to use this Airport and this Airport only. But last week i had to fly to California and the cost of my ticket was over 200 dollars more if i flew to Ontario opposed to LAX. At LAX it was a madhouse as there was sooooo many people flying. Why doesnt Ontario lower the cost to fly into them and bring passengers back? I know for a fact they lost a customer in me due to 200 dollars, what gives??

[Gandalara]

LAX owns ONT

[Dunbar42]

I have heard that the ONT airport does charge higher airport fees compared to LAX. But the ticket price an airline charges has nothing to do with the airport fees.

I heard that during the housing boom the LAWA was planning to build Southwest its own terminal on the ONT airport. With unemployment so high in the inland empire though I can't say I'm surprised to hear that passenger volume is way down at ONT.

[mikelovato]

Ditto what's been said. They city Los Angeles owns both Ontario Airport and LAX. Once the economic downturn hit, LA has shifted all their attention onto LAX. The fees are higher at Ontario which has led to it becoming ridiculously expensive to fly out of. Which in turn causes a downward spiral as people keep choosing LAX over Ontario now. There is some movement going on to attempt to get more local control over ONT which I think would be very good.

[bouncethelight]

Sometimes you have no choice - and LAX is the only option - but if you have a choice, and you live in the Inland Empire, it's worth the extra cost to fly out of Ontario! It's an easy drive - and no traffic problems - so you don't miss your flight. If you're driving your own car, the long term parking is cheaper. And if someone else is driving you, it's much less hassle for them.

I love Los Angeles, and spend a lot of time there, so I end up driving a lot of friends and family to LAX - but when I'm flying myself, if I can, I do it out of Ontario!

[Fontucky]

So do I. I'm only 5 miles away, so I cab it to and from ONT.

[Count David]

One time I was looking for tickets to YYZ from any Southern CA airport, but ONT was the closest to me.

When I priced tickets, it was the same price to fly ONT-LAX-YYZ as it was to simply go LAX-YYZ, so I went ONT-LAX-YYZ.

Yes, I flew a driving distance, and it was worth it.

[bouncethelight]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Yes, I flew a driving distance, and it was worth it.

I think most people would do that every time they went to Los Angeles, if it was possible!

[Ponypenny]

I love Ontario. I mostly fly Southwest to either Texas or St. Louis and the prices are really competitive. Ontario is such an easy airport to get in and out of. I takes no time to check in and go through security.