ONT Launches Review for BOLD Terminal 3 Expansion

The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) has officially launched the environmental review process for its transformative ONT BOLD program, a major expansion designed to accommodate significant passenger growth at Ontario International Airport (ONT). This first step, the issuance of a Notice of Preparation (NOP), initiates the formal Environmental Impact Report (EIR) required under state law for the Terminal 3 construction at ONT and associated projects.

The expansion is a direct response to a nearly 70% increase in passenger volume since the OIAA assumed control of the airport in 2016, with annual traffic now exceeding 7 million passengers. The ONT BOLD program aims to develop facilities capable of handling future demand, solidifying the airport's role as a key gateway for Southern California's Inland Empire. The project's centerpiece is a new Terminal 3, along with substantial upgrades to existing infrastructure.

According to the OIAA, the new terminal will add approximately 650,000 square feet of space across three levels. Key features include a new Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility, which is essential for processing international arrivals and will require certification from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Additionally, the terminal will incorporate a Multiple Aircraft Ramp System (MARS), allowing gate stands to flexibly accommodate either two narrowbody aircraft or a single widebody jet, maximizing operational efficiency.

Alan D. Wapner, President of the OIAA Board of Commissioners, emphasized the project's strategic importance. "Project BOLD is about more than building facilities – it's about building the future of this airport and the region we serve," Wapner stated. "As demand continues to grow, we have a responsibility to ensure ONT remains convenient, accessible and ready to connect the Inland Empire with the world."

Regulatory and Environmental Framework

The entire expansion is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a state statute that mandates a thorough evaluation of potential environmental effects. The OIAA, as the lead agency, is responsible for preparing the EIR, which will analyze impacts related to air quality, noise, traffic, and other environmental factors. The NOP marks the beginning of a public scoping period where agencies and the community can provide input on the scope of the EIR.

This process is critical for securing the necessary approvals to proceed with construction, which is estimated to take up to 10 years following the environmental clearance. The development follows a trend of expansion at secondary airports to alleviate pressure on capacity-constrained primary hubs.

Historical Precedents in Southern California

The path ONT is taking has been navigated by other regional airports. The San Diego International Airport (SAN) Terminal 1 Replacement, which underwent its environmental review from 2018 to 2021, provides a recent precedent. That project was approved and is now under construction, demonstrating a successful CEQA process for a major terminal overhaul in Southern California.

Similarly, the Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) Replacement Passenger Terminal project, known as Elevate BUR, secured voter and FAA approval for a new 14-gate facility after its own environmental reviews. These examples suggest a viable, albeit lengthy, pathway for secondary airports in the region to modernize and expand their infrastructure to meet modern aviation demands.

Technical Analysis

The ONT BOLD program represents a strategic evolution for secondary airports in major metropolitan areas. It moves beyond simply adding capacity to incorporating advanced, flexible infrastructure like MARS stands, indicating a long-term vision for handling a diverse aircraft mix. This investment reflects a broader industry trend where airports like ONT are no longer just relief valves for hubs like LAX but are becoming primary gateways in their own right, driven by regional economic growth and shifting population centers. The success of similar CEQA processes at SAN and BUR provides a clear playbook for ONT, suggesting that while the environmental review will be rigorous, it is a well-established procedure for projects of this scale. The 10-year timeline underscores the complexity of modern airport development, balancing construction logistics with continuous airport operations.

Stakeholder and Community Impact

The expansion will have significant effects on various stakeholders. For airlines currently operating at ONT, such as Southwest and Frontier, the increased gate capacity and modernized facilities present a major opportunity for route expansion and improved operational efficiency. The new FIS facility is particularly important for international carriers, creating new possibilities for direct routes to the Inland Empire.

For the local community, the project offers a mix of long-term economic benefits, including job creation, alongside potential short-term disruptions. The CEQA process is designed to address community concerns, which may include construction noise, increased traffic, and air quality impacts stemming from both the construction phase and future airport operations.

What Comes Next

With the issuance of the NOP, the OIAA has set a clear timeline for the initial phase of the environmental review. A public scoping meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2026, to gather community and stakeholder feedback on the EIR's focus. The deadline for all written responses to the Notice of Preparation is June 8, 2026.

Following the completion of the EIR and receipt of all necessary approvals, the construction phase of the ONT BOLD program is expected to last for up to 10 years. This long-term schedule reflects the project's scale and complexity.

Why This Matters

This development is more than a simple construction project; it is a strategic move that will redefine the aviation landscape of Southern California. The ONT BOLD expansion solidifies the airport's position as a vital economic engine and a primary international gateway for the fast-growing Inland Empire. By investing in future capacity and modern technology, the OIAA is positioning ONT to compete directly with larger hubs and accommodate decades of projected growth.