March 15, 2024
The Honorable Laphonza Butler The Honorable Alex Padilla
United States Senate United States Senate
112 Hart Senate Office Building 331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Norma Torres
United States House of Representatives
2227 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
RE: Support for Ontario International Airport’s Fiscal Year 2025 Congressionally Directed Spending Requests
Dear Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, and Representative Torres:
Inland Action writes to express strong support for the Fiscal Year 2025 Congressionally directed spending requests from Ontario International Airport (ONT). Inland Action is a non-profit, non-partisan corporation of spirited leaders who have joined together to be catalysts for the economic well-being of the Inland Empire region of California since 1962. The ONT projects aim to modernize airport terminal facilities, implement essential safety infrastructure updates, and address security risks crucial to the well-being of the airport, passengers, and employees.
Ontario International Airport, strategically located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, is at the center of one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. Serving as a major hub for the logistics and air cargo industry, ONT has rapidly become one of the country’s fastest-growing airports, with over 6.4 million passengers in 2023. It continues to drive economic growth in the region.
The Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS) project at ONT will safeguard against perimeter breaches that pose potential security risks at the airport and will be a critical component of the airport’s security structure and operations. The PIDS will be part of a layered protection strategy that will increase safety and situational awareness of the defined airport perimeter. The project will significantly improve the safety of passengers and employees and will protect aircraft and airfield operations from outside threats.
Simultaneously, the Terminal 2 and 4 Fire Alarm Replacement Project at ONT is essential for upgrading safety infrastructure. This project entails replacing outdated fire alarm systems with a fully integrated multi-lingual digital voice evacuation public address system. Ensuring compliance with fire codes, this initiative is designed to enhance the safety of passengers and airport employees.
The Terminal Seating and Power Options Project at ONT addresses the aging infrastructure needs at Terminal 2 and Terminal 4. By providing sustainably sourced bench seating units with power outlets, this project will substantially increase seating capacity to meet the growing demands of passengers. Equally important, it will enhance seating accessibility and comply with ADA standards, contributing to a more inclusive and accommodating environment.
Ontario International Airport’s pivotal role in Southern California’s air transportation network and regional economic development cannot be overstated. We urge your strong consideration of these projects.
Sincerely,
Deborah Barmack
President