The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) has approved a lease agreement with FedEx Express to continue the company’s operations at Ontario International Airport (ONT) for at least 30 more years.
Under terms of the initial 30-year lease, FedEx Express will relocate its operations to a 51.1-acre site located in the northwest quadrant of ONT. It is expected that the move will take place in late 2020 when site preparations have been completed.
FedEx Express will invest nearly US$100m to revitalize aircraft parking apron areas; consolidate and construct a sorting facility, ground support staging area, and secondary and maintenance buildings; and enhance perimeter fencing and install landscaping.
The OIAA will clear the northwest site by removing existing structures above and below ground and performing surface grading. The OIAA will also coordinate the environmental analysis and assessments and any necessary removal and management. Efforts will be made to complete OIAA’s site preparations by January 31, 2019.
Alan Wapner, president of the OIAA, said, “The transfer of ONT to local control in 2016 has enabled us to transform the airport into an economic engine. 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.
“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,” added Wapner.
FedEx Express has operated at ONT for 31 years, and currently occupies 18.5 acres on the airport’s south side.
