Air Canada Studies Service to Ontario InternationalAirport.

Business Editors

ONTARIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2000

Following Air Canada's announcement that it is studying the introduction of air service between Toronto, Canada, and Ontario International Airport (ONT), Dr. Warren Valdry, a member of the Los Angeles Board of Airport

Commissioners, said, "We are delighted with the news and will do everything possible to ensure Air Canada's success at Ontario International Airport. International air service will bring greater economic benefits to the Inland Empire, so this potential new service is a win-win situation for travelers and the regional economy."

Lydia H. Kennard, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) interim executive director, said, "This will be the first time ONT serves the Canadian market and it is a big step in Los Angeles World Airports' efforts to take a regional approach in meeting Southern California's air travel demand by distributing it throughout the region."

City of Ontario Mayor Gary Ovitt said, "Ontario and the entire Inland Empire continue to experience unprecedented growth in our business, residential and tourism areas. We are very pleased that Air Canada is interested in coming to Ontario because we feel that ONT is well-located to serve businesses and tourist attractions in Southern California."

Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom were identified in an international air service study as potential markets for ONT. The study was conducted in 1999 by SH & E International Transport Consultancy, a private transportation consulting firm contracted by LAWA and the City of Ontario.

The proposed Toronto-Ontario route is part of Air Canada's initial plans for major service enhancements over the coming year.

According to ONT Airport Manager Peter Drinkwater, "We are still in preliminary discussions with Air Canada officials. Since Air Canada pre-clears U.S.-bound passengers through federal inspection services in Toronto, this would be a big plus in facilitating start-up at ONT." He added that a start-up date has not been finalized.

"Connecting both Ontarios -- ONT in Southern California and Toronto, Ontario, in Canada -- will provide us with numerous marketing opportunities," said Jim Robertson, president of the Friends of ONT, a long-established organization of business and community leaders who support ONT operations.