AIR CANADA LAUNCHES DAILY ONT-TORONTO FLIGHTS BEGINNING JUNE 5
(Ontario, California – February 11, 2000) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials today announced Air Canada will begin daily roundtrip flights between Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Toronto, Canada, on June 5.
Air Canada plans to operate new 112-seat Airbus 319 aircraft at ONT’s Terminal 2 with United Airlines, its Star Alliance partner. The daily flights are scheduled to depart ONT at 12:40 p.m. for Toronto, with arrival time at 8:25 p.m. From Toronto, flights will depart daily at 9:30 a.m., arriving at ONT at 11:15 a.m.
Air Canada plans to pre-clear U.S.-bound passengers through federal inspection services in Toronto – a key factor in facilitating start-up at ONT.
Dr. Warren Valdry, a member of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, said, "We are delighted international air service will begin this spring at Ontario International Airport. This new daily flight continues to demonstrate LAWA’s commitment to Ontario and the Inland Empire to market our state-of-the-art facilities at ONT. This will help meet the growing demand for air service between Canada and Southern California and will bring substantial economic benefits to the Inland Empire."
Lydia H. Kennard, LAWA interim executive director, said, "This is the first time ONT will serve the Canadian market. It is a big step in Los Angeles World Airports’ efforts to take a regional approach in meeting Southern California’s air travel demand by encouraging its distribution throughout the region. We will do everything possible to ensure Air Canada’s success at Ontario International Airport.
City of Ontario Mayor Gary Ovitt said, "Ontario and the entire Inland Empire continue to experience unprecedented growth in our business, residential, and tourism areas. We appreciate the efforts of LAWA personnel to address Air Canada’s concerns about a strong, sustainable market in the future, resulting in their decision to come to Ontario. We feel ONT is well located to serve businesses and tourist attractions in Southern California."
The new Toronto-Ontario route is part of Air Canada’s plans to expand service for its customers this summer -- featuring 30 new Canadian domestic and overseas routes, 11 new destinations including ONT, and over 380 more international flights a week.
"This new route from Ontario will be a great time-saver for business travelers looking for fast, no-hassle, nonstop service from the Inland Empire to Canada’s largest city," said Ronald L. Waters, Air Canada’s director of passenger sales-USA. "Our schedule also offers convenient connections on Air Canada’s extensive Canadian and international route network, as well as the added choice and convenience of Star Alliance."
"Connecting both Ontarios – ONT in Southern California and Toronto, Ontario, in Canada – provides us with numerous marketing opportunities, said Jim Robertson, president of the Friends of ONT, a long-established organization of business and community leaders who support ONT operations."
Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom were identified in an international air service study as potential markets for ONT. The study was conducted in 1999 by SH&E International Transport Consultancy, a private transportation consulting firm contracted by LAWA and the City of Ontario. LAWA is currently conducting a domestic air service study.
