Air cargo shipments in and out of Ontario International Airport (ONT) posted one of their largest single-month gains ever, despite the slowdown in passenger volume due to the coronavirus.

In a statement, it said e-commerce shipments boosted the growth in March and underscored the critical role of the airport in maintaining the nation's supply chain.

More than 70,000 tons of commercial cargo moved through ONT in March, up 12,600 tons – or nearly 22% – from the same month in 2019. From January through March, Ontario handled 186,000 tons or freight, a 13% increase over the first three months of last year.

"Our airport is the heart of one of the most vital supply chain networks in the country, and during this time of crisis, it has become an even more vital transhipment hub for many household supplies ordered online," said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority.  

The 21.95% increase in air cargo tonnage in March 2020 compared with March 2019 was the second greatest monthly increase since November 2016.

ONT said landing fees associated with increasing freight shipments, helped offset decreases in landing fees generated by fewer passenger flights and help maintain ONT's strong position as a cost-effective international gateway for all air carriers.

ONT said the surge in cargo volumes is particularly notable given recent declines in freight shipments handled by larger airports around the world with the CAPA Centre for Aviation, earlier noting how the top 20 cargo airports all experienced "sharp" declines from January through March because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Ontario freight market, which includes a vast warehouse network proximate to major interstate highways and the nation's largest seaport complex, was the top-ranked US market for outbound cargo in 2018.

Commercial freight shipments through ONT totalled more than 760,000 tons in 2019, up 5.1% over 2018.

Cargo to remain strong

"We look forward to a return to full commercial air travel schedules in the months ahead when the coronavirus is brought under control and passengers take to the skies again, but in the meantime, we anticipate that cargo operations will remain strong and continue to keep critical US supply chains open, drive the Inland Empire economy, and support our national economy as it recovers," Thorpe said.