August a good month at ONT

Ontario International Airport saw its passenger count increase 13.4 percent in August compared with one year earlier, according to data released this week.

643,472 travelers passed through the airport last month – 608,360 domestic passengers and 35,112 international – the Ontario International Airport Authority reported.

That increase is being attributed to an upswing in summer travel.

During the first eight months of the year, Ontario International accommodated 4.3 million domestic fliers and 305,267 international travelers, increases of 11.5 percent and 17.5 percent respectively.

“Demand for travel through Ontario International Airport remained strong in August,” said Atif Elkadi, the airport authority’s chief executive officer, in the statement. “The population and economy of the Inland Empire continue to flourish as many Southern Californians along the coast move inland. Airlines are responding to this trend by adding more flights and destinations from our airport.”

Freight and mail shipments were up 9.5 percent year-over-year in August, to 68,404 tons, the authority reported.