Ontario International Airport Gears up for Memorial Day Weekend; Five Top Travel Tips for a Stress Free Vacation Weekend

Business Wire, May 26, 2004

Business Editors/Travel Writers

ONTARIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 2004

To ensure a safer and stress free getaway during the Memorial Day Weekend rush, Ontario International Airport (ONT) offers the following travel tips:

Check in early.

Typically, during the holidays and long weekends, you may want to get to the airport at least two hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Check with your airline or travel agent to determine how early to get to the airport.

Park closely at ONT's "hidden gem."

For convenient parking, use the easily accessible but little known Parking Lot 5 off Haven Avenue and Airport Drive. Not only is the lot located right across the street from the baggage claim at Terminal 4, but it is guaranteed to always have available parking. You can easily walk over to Terminal 4 or take a free shuttle to the terminals. Parking rates are $3 an hour up to a maximum of $9 per day.

Pack smart.

One carry-on bag and a personal item (i.e. purse, briefcase or laptop) are allowed per person. Carefully consider what you put in your carry-on since the screeners may have to open your bag to examine its contents. For a complete list of prohibited items and permitted items, visit www.TSATravelTips.US. Do not bring wrapped packages or gifts in carry-on or checked luggage, which are subject to being unwrapped for inspection.

Remember your photo ID.

Bring a government-issued photo ID and a boarding pass, ticket or ticket confirmation such as a printed itinerary. Children under the age of 18 do not require an ID.

Take advantage of ONT's curbside check-in.

Many of ONT's airlines allow curbside luggage check-in. However, please call your airline beforehand to confirm. At ONT, you may drive your vehicle next to curbside in front of the terminals for immediate passenger drop-off and pick-up only. There is no waiting or parking. Unattended vehicles will be cited and towed.

"We expect more than 87,000 travelers to pass through Ontario International Airport over the four-day Memorial Holiday weekend, which is a 10 percent increase over last year," said Airport Manager Jens Rivera. "We encourage all passengers to plan accordingly and give themselves enough time for a relaxing trip."

ONT is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, which also owns and operates Los Angeles International, Palmdale Regional and Van Nuys Airports. ONT is located approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and in the center of one of the fastest growing transportation regions in the United States. With the capacity to accommodate 10 million annual passengers, ONT offers service to major U.S. cities on 13 airlines operating from its $270-million twin terminal complex that opened in 1998.

ONT's primary service area includes a population of six million people living in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties and portions of north Orange County and east Los Angeles County. In 2003, more than 6.5 million passengers used the airport and 571,892 tons of airfreight were shipped. For more information about ONT, please visit www.lawa.org/ont/ or call 909-937-2700.