Ontario is the top U.S. market for shipments of outbound cargo, knocking Atlanta from the No. 1 position, according to the trade journal FreightWaves, which reported that 4.63% of the nation’s outbound freight shipments in October were sent from Ontario while 4.51% went through Atlanta.

The southeast hub had been the market share leader for much of the year, based on data compiled by FreightWaves.

“Ontario plays a leading role in the nation’s goods movement industry with its proximity to interstate highways, rail lines and the nation’s largest seaport complex,” said Alan D. Wapner, Mayor pro Tem of the City of Ontario and President of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “With our expanding population base, highly skilled workforce and modern infrastructure, there can be no doubt that Ontario is a key nerve center in the nation’s economy.”

Since ONT’s return of local control in November 2016, air freight volume has grown consistently by upwards of 20% on a year-over-year basis. In the first nine months of the year, freight volume totaled 521,705 tons, an increase of 18.1% over the 441,754 tons handled during the same period in 2017.

United Parcel Service and FedEx Express have maintained long-term cargo operations at ONT. FedEx Express will invest nearly $100 million on work to be completed by November 2020.

– Contributed by Ontario International Airport Authority