Ontario International Airport (ONT) reported increased cargo volumes in 2022, which continued to exceed levels seen in 2019 before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Air cargo volumes last year were up by nearly 9% over the level seen in 2019.

"Shipments of air cargo outpaced 2019 volume by nearly 9%, maintaining ONT's position as a major commerce and logistics hub," the airport, one of the busiest in the country, said.

ONT noted that this fortified the airport's role as a global air cargo centre.

For the year, freight and mail that moved through ONT totalled more than 850,000 tons, 8.9% higher than in 2019, when the airport handled almost 782,000 tons of cargo.

Ontario ranks among the 10 largest cargo airports in North America. 

Meanwhile, ONT welcomed more than 5.7 million airline travellers in 2022, outpacing pre-pandemic 2019 by 2.8% as the popular Southern California gateway recorded its highest passenger volume since 2008.