Ontario International Airport is staking a further claim to legitimacy as an international aerodrome with the addition of flights to and from San Salvador International Airport in San Salvador’s capital city of El Salvador in July.
Avianca Airlines, headquartered in Bogota, Columbia, announced that it will begin service between Ontario Airport and the Central American country this week. The new route represents the first service from the Inland Empire to Central America.
“We are thrilled to welcome Avianca to Ontario,” said Ontario City Councilman Alan Wapner, who is the president of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners. “Our international gateway airport and the Inland Empire have much to offer and we are confident that Avianca will quickly realize the benefits of bringing new service to Ontario.”
A member of the Star Alliance, Avianca will operate from Terminal 2 at Ontario Airport and serve the route with Airbus 319 aircraft, accommodating as many as 120 passengers in business and economy class seating.
According to a schedule released with the announcement, planes will depart from Ontario every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1:15 a.m. California time and arrive in El Salvador at 7:05 a.m. San Salvador time. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, planes will depart from El Salvador at 7:10 p.m. San Salvador time and arrive at Ontario at 11:30 p.m. California time.
Mark Thorpe, the chief chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority, sounded an optimistic tone in noting, “Ontario is experiencing the quickest recovery among California airports, and third fastest among airports in the U.S., since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. While domestic travel accounts for much of Ontario International Airport’s recovery, it will be particularly gratifying to add Avianca’s international service.”
Airlines operating at Ontario Airport have announced plans to restart or initiate new flights to nine U.S. destinations by May. Meanwhile, international carrier Volaris began nonstop service from Ontario to its Mexico City base in November.