Ontario International Airport (ONT) is optimistic that cargo volumes will return to positive territory this year as economic conditions improve.

In the first quarter of 2024, cargo volumes at ONT dropped 4.3% year-on-year.  For March alone, freight volumes recorded a steeper decline of 7.4% compared to the same period in 2023.

[Source: Ontario International Airport]

ONT said freight shipments declined by 3.9% in March and 1% for the first quarter.

"Freight tonnage was essentially flat over the first quarter of 2024," said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA).

"We are optimistic that as economic forces continue to improve, air freight will return to positive growth over the course of the year," he added.

Meanwhile, passenger volume at Ontario International Airport surged 11% to 557,000 in March and nearly 10% during the first three months of the year, according to airport officials.