California’s Ontario Airport Finalizes First Independent ULA Agreement

Located around 60 m. east of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)—which is managed by LAWA—ONT had still been operating under a ULA negotiated by LAWA in 1999. A ULA assigns gates and space, as well as outlines costs, providing both the airport and airlines with long-term stability.

ONT became independent of LAWA in November 2016. It serves the Inland Empire region of Southern California, with a population of 4.7 million people. The airport handled 3.35 million passengers in the first six months of 2025, up 0.9% year-over-year.

The new ULA, which goes into effect immediately, “represents years of work and thoughtful negotiation,” said Alan Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) board of commissioners. “It gives our airport a solid financial framework.”

Southwest Airlines is the leading carrier at ONT with a 35.7% passenger market share in June. American Airlines is the second-biggest carrier at the airport with a 15.5% market share, followed by Frontier Airlines (10.5%), United Airlines (10.3%) and Delta Air Lines (10%). International carriers serving the airport include Colombia’s Avianca, Taiwan’s China Airlines and Mexico’s Volaris.

The airport said in a statement that the ULA “provides greater transparency in how funds are used at ONT and locks in 75% of ground transportation revenue for participating airlines. For OIAA, it allows added flexibility to advance needed capital projects in a timely and cost-effective manner … The agreement balances financial sustainability with mutual growth and investment.”

ONT CEO Atif Elkadi said the ULA represents “more than just a contract” with airlines, adding, “It’s a reflection of the strong partnerships we’ve built with our airline partners and our shared commitment to grow together in a way that benefits our travelers, our region and our industry.”