"Ontario, Palmdale Airports Renamed To Become 'More Marketable'"

Monday, December 4, 2006

Name change announced for ONT
By Mason Stockstill
The Inland Valley (CA) Daily Bulletin


ONTARIO -- In a vivid reminder that Ontario International Airport s fate is
determined in Los Angeles, the airport s overseers altered its name on
Monday, adding "L.A." in an effort to improve its marketability.

The decision is the result of negative feedback from airlines and business
travelers based outside Southern California, who have told airport marketing
managers for years that Ontario isn t the best moniker for the airport.

"ONT, despite its location in one of the fastest-growing local economies in
the United States ... is not well known as a destination in Southern
California," states the report to the Los Angeles Board of Airport
Commissioners.

In addition, the fact that the city shares a name with the Canadian province
means the California location "is typically either unknown or confusing" to
business travelers and tourists, the report states.

The board also voted to change the name of the little-known Palmdale
Regional Airport in the same manner.

Signs identifying the airport as LA/Ontario International Airport will go up
in the coming months.

According to the board report, repairs are already planned for the 38 signs
that will need to be updated, including the prominent entryway over
Archibald Avenue.


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