Ontario International Airport (ONT) reported a year-on-year decline in air cargo volume handled at the gateway in December, but this is higher compared to the preceding month.

ONT said shipments of freight and mail dipped by 12.5% in December to 79,774 tons from the 91,210 tons recorded during the same month in 2022.

"Lower air cargo volume in December and for 2023 reflected ongoing global economic trends, with total freight volume down 12.5% for the month and 11.8% over the year," said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA).

Comparing month-on-month performance, however, December's cargo volume was higher than the 68,184 tons recorded in November 2023.

 [Source: Ontario International Airport]

ONT cited reports where most experts think the market won't really begin to recover from the prolonged downturn until the second half of 2024 because of mixed economic conditions.

"Ontario is at the crossroads of the goods movement industry in California, and ONT will always be an attractive destination for shippers and retailers," Elkadi said.