Torres Applauds Passage of Key Bill in ONT Transfer to Local Control
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) applauded the passage of H.R. 4369, legislation that will allow for the transfer of Passenger Facility Charges collected at Ontario Airport to Los Angeles World Airports. This legislation is necessary to complete the transfer of LA/Ontario International Airport to local control.
“Without this bill, the long-overdue agreement to transfer control of Ontario Airport cannot move forward. I applaud the House for taking up this legislation and urge my colleagues in the Senate to help bring it across the finish line,” said Torres, whose district includes Ontario Airport. “Times have changed since LAWA first took over Ontario Airport. It is now time to put a leadership team in place that understands the region and only has the best interest of this airport and the Inland Empire in mind as they shape the airport’s future. This bill will help us do that so that Ontario Airport can finally have the capability to meet rising demands and better serve the needs of Inland Empire residents.”
As part of the settlement agreement, $120 million of passenger facility revenue collected at ONT will be used for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) qualified capital projects at LAX. $50 million of that will come from existing passenger facility fees that are controlled by LAWA but were collected at Ontario. The remaining $70 million will come from future passenger facility charges collected at ONT within the next 10 years. However, Congress must pass legislation to allow the transfer of funds from one airport authority to another. Without H.R. 4369, the FAA will not approve the agreement and grant the Ontario International Airport Authority its certificate to operate.
"Today's passage by the House represents a major milestone towards finalizing transfer of ONT to the Ontario International Airport Authority and local control,” said Kelly Fredericks, CEO of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “The continued support and efforts by our Congressional Delegation have been simply amazing, and much needed."
H.R. 4369 was cosponsored by all of the members of the Inland Empire congressional delegation. Identical companion legislation has been introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein in the Senate. H.R. 4369 passed the House of Representatives unanimously.
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