ONTARIO, Calif: Ontario International Airport (ONT) ended 2024 on a high note by welcoming more than 7 million air travelers for the year, it was announced at the meeting of Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners on Thursday (Jan. 23).

The Southern California gateway reported 7,084,864 passengers in 2024, 10.2% more than 2023 and 27% more than pre-pandemic 2019, making it the fastest growing among medium- and large-size airports in California. The 2024 count also represents a 67% increase since 2016, when ONT was transferred to local control from the City of Los Angeles.

The number of domestic travelers totaled 6,645,968, an increase of 10.5% year-over-year, while the number of international fliers grew by 5.1% to 438,896, the highest in the airport’s history.

“We believed the 7 million passenger mark was achievable in 2024 and indeed it was,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the OIAA Board of Commissioners. “It was a milestone year that positions our airport to handle increasing demand for air travel in the region. While some California airports are still trying to restore passenger volumes post-pandemic, Ontario is prospering thanks to the economic and population growth in the Inland Empire, the faith and trust of our airline partners and the confidence of air travelers who know they’ll have a world-class experience with us.”

Atif Elkadi, OIAA chief executive officer, noted that December passenger volume grew by nearly 10% to 603,886, marking the 46^th straight month of year-over-year increases. December was also the eighth consecutive month with the passenger count exceeding 600,000.

“We pride ourselves on strong performances month after month and delivering the first-rate, hassle-free experiences our customers expect. The December and year-end numbers are testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and partners to make Ontario the airport of choice in Southern California,” Elkadi said.

The air carriers with the greatest passenger shares for the full year 2024 were:

1. Southwest Airlines (35.9%)
2. American Airlines (15.7%)
3. Frontier Airlines (14.6%)
4. Delta Air Lines (10.1%)
5. Alaska Airlines (7.3%)

Air cargo in 2024, meanwhile, remained strong, reflecting ONT’s status as a top 10 cargo hub in the U.S. For the year, air freight and mail combined grew by 5.5% over 2023 to the highest level since air shipments surged during the pandemic. In December cargo increased by nearly 4% compared to the same month in 2023.

During Thursday’s Board meeting, OIAA officials expressed support for victims of the recent wildfires.

“As we begin 2025, we grieve for those who perished in the fires that have devastated communities across Los Angeles County and extend our heartfelt sympathy to their family and friends, as well as those who lost homes, valued personal possessions and business properties,” Wapner said.

Elkadi noted that ONT became a safe haven for aircraft affected by high winds and smoke following the onset of the fires, receiving flights diverted from airports in Burbank, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.

“The managers and staff of Ontario International Airport were honored to do our part in helping to keep air travelers safe during such a turbulent time,” Elkadi said.

Santiago, January 10, 2025 — LATAM Group, Latin America’s leading airline conglomerate, has announced significant milestones for the year 2024, showcasing both passenger growth and expanded operations across the region.

Record-Breaking Passenger Numbers in December

In December 2024, LATAM transported 7.3 million passengers, reflecting a 5.4% increase compared to the same month in 2023. This is part of a larger trend throughout the year, with the group surpassing 82 million passengers between January and December 2024, marking an 11.0% increase over the previous year. This milestone represents the highest number of passengers ever transported by LATAM.

Increased Capacity and New Routes

LATAM also saw impressive growth in its capacity. The group increased its consolidated capacity, measured in available seat-kilometers (ASK), by 10.9% in December 2024 compared to December 2023. Notably, a 16.1% increase in international operations played a significant role in this expansion. The airline also launched several new international routes, including:

• Santiago to Bariloche (Argentina)
• Santiago to Recife (Brazil)
• Santiago to Punta del Este (Uruguay)
• Lima to Montego Bay (Jamaica)
• Lima to Rosario (Argentina)

On an annual basis, LATAM’s consolidated capacity for the year increased by 15.1% compared to 2023, in line with the group’s guidance from October.

High Load Factor and Cargo Expansion

LATAM’s load factor, which measures the percentage of available seating filled with passengers, was 84.8% in December. For the full year, the load factor reached 84.3%, marking an improvement of 1.2 percentage points compared to 2023.

In terms of cargo, LATAM also saw growth. The group’s cargo capacity, measured in available ton-kilometers (ATK), increased by 11.8% in December, totaling 747 million ATK. This growth reflects the ongoing strength of LATAM’s cargo operations.

LATAM Group Overview

LATAM Airlines Group S.A., along with its subsidiaries, is the largest airline group in Latin America, with operations in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The group also provides international services to Europe, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and the Caribbean.

LATAM’s fleet includes a range of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, such as the Boeing 767, 777, 787 and Airbus A320, A321, alongside newer A320neo and A321neo models. The group’s cargo subsidiaries, LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Colombia, and LATAM Cargo Brazil, operate a combined fleet of 22 freighters in addition to using the bellies of passenger aircraft. These cargo divisions serve both the LATAM group’s network and exclusive international routes, providing a modern infrastructure and a wide array of services to meet customer needs.

BALPA released this statement:

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has achieved a significant legal triumph in the Court of Appeal, securing a landmark judgment that not only delivers justice for Ryanair pilots but also sets a powerful precedent for the entire trade union movement.

The Court’s ruling today firmly established that Ryanair’s practice of putting pilots who exercised their legal right to strike in 2019 on a blacklist in order to withdraw their travel benefits constituted a breach of the Blacklisting Regulations. This decision underscores that such retaliatory actions against workers who take part in lawful industrial action are both unacceptable and unlawful.

The Case at a Glance
The legal case arose after BALPA called a strike among Ryanair pilots in 2019. In response, Ryanair threatened to revoke concessionary travel benefits for employees who participated in the action. True to its warning, the airline removed these benefits for 12 months, effectively punishing pilots for exercising their legal right to strike.

With BALPA’s backing, the affected pilots represented by Farrer & Co successfully argued that Ryanair’s conduct amounted to blacklisting under UK regulations designed to protect workers from such discriminatory practices. The case involved the expertise of five KCs including Stuart Brittenden KC and Bruce Carr KC on BALPAs legal team. Today’s ruling decisively confirms that stance.

Implications for the Wider Union Movement
This case reinforces the principle that workers’ rights to organize and engage in lawful strikes are sacrosanct and its significance was recognised by the Secretary of State of Business and Trade who intervened in the case. BALPA’s victory highlights the critical role trade unions play in defending these rights and ensuring employers are held accountable for any breaches.