The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) approved a lease agreement with FedEx Express on June 26, 2018, to continue operations at Ontario International Airport (ONT) for the next 30 years with an option to extend the lease for another 10 to 20 years.
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp, has operated at ONT for the past 31 years, occupying 18.5 acres on the airport’s south side. According to the initial 30-year lease, the company will relocate its operations to a 51.1-acre site located in the northwest quadrant of ONT in late 2020 after the site preparations have been completed. The site preparations are expected to be completed by January 31, 2019.
President of the OIAA, Alan D. Wapner, said the timing of the new agreement is important as ONT has experienced increase in cargo volumes up to 20 percent a month.
“The transfer of ONT to local control in 2016 has enabled us to transform the airport into an economic engine for the Inland Empire,” Wapner said. “In addition to adding exciting new domestic and international airline service, we have made strong, steady gains in cargo operations, which bodes well for the airport’s economic development potential.”
FedEx will invest nearly $100 million to revitalize aircraft parking apron areas; consolidate and construct a sorting facility, ground support staging area, secondary and maintenance buildings; enhance perimeter fencing; and install landscaping. These improvements are expected to be completed by November 30, 2020.
“That FedEx is making such a sizable commitment to Ontario for the next 30 years or longer is a testament to what we are doing to make ONT an attractive hub for shipping companies,” said Wapner.
The agreement also offers FedEx the opportunity to lease approximately 40 additional acres adjacent to the northwest quadrant premises for additional cargo facilities or ramp infrastructure.
