L.A./Ontario International Airport takes a hit again

Feb. 28--ONTARIO -- L.A./Ontario International Airport is already starting 2012 on a downward spiral, with one official saying the trend is likely to continue through the first half of the year.

Los Angeles World Airports on Monday released passenger figures that shows overall traffic at ONT is down 7.3 percent from last year.

In January, domestic passenger traffic fell 7 percent compared to January 2011.

ONT saw 332,930 passengers fly to, or out of, the airport last month, a drop from the 358,380 that came through a year before.

ONT also had a 20 percent decline in international traffic in January compared to January 2011.

During the same time frame, Los Angeles International Airport's traffic increased by about 5.4 percent.

LAWA owns and operates ONT and LAX.

"With airlines continuing to cut seats at ONT, it's no surprise that passenger is continuing to decline in 2012," Ontario City Manager Chris Hughes said.

"The trend is likely to continue as LAX gains the market share."

Ontario officials have been pushing Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAWA officials to either transfer control of ONT or amend the joint-powers agreement between the two cities.

LAWA officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Earlier this month, LAWA officials announced the launch of a web page to provide the organization's take on ONT.

In the past, officials at LAWA have cited the economyand the decline in air service as the main factors for the drop in passenger traffic at ONT.

LAWA Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey recently stated that the agency is working on bringing in a new marketing consultant "with a fresh approach in marketing the airport."

ONT has been hemorrhaging passenger traffic for several years.

The low passenger figures recorded in 2011 had not been seen at ONT since the early 1980s, which is before the airport's twin terminals were built.

According to some forecast, the amount of available seats at ONT compared to the same month last year will continue to decline.

By the spring, ONT could see a double-digit drop in its seating capacity, according to a forecast.

"This is why there is a growing consensus among governments and organizations throughout the region that there needs to be change in the airport," Hughes said.

Hughes is referring to the slew of resolutions the city has received in recent weeks from cities -- such as Claremont, Chino Hills, Norco and Rancho Cucamonga -- that support Ontario's effort to take over the struggling airport.

Officials from cities in the east San Gabriel Valley have also weighed in on the financial significance ONT has to their region.

As officials deal with the decline at ONT, Hughes said he welcomes the opportunity to have Ontario's concerns heard by another set of Los Angeles officials.

The Los Angeles City Council Trade, Commerce and Tourism subcommittee on Monday is expected to review a motion that would ask for a report on the airport's fair market value and the possibility of sale.

Reach Liset via email, call her at 909-483-8556, or find her on Twitter @DBOntarioNow.

Copyright 2012 - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Calif.