New Head Of Ontario Airport Authority To Talk Field's Future

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA - What the future holds for Ontario International Airport after it becomes a locally controlled asset will be the main focus of a March 30 talk at UC Riverside by the Ontario International Airport Authority's newly appointed CEO.

Kelly Fredericks, a 33-year aviation industry executive, assumed his duties last week after departing as head of the Rhode Island Airport Corp.

He's the headliner of the UCR Randall Lewis Seminar Series program, themed, "Ontario International Airport: Now Locally Owned, But What Happens Next?''

The OIAA will be responsible for boosting airport business, managing marketing plans and ensuring the aerodrome is in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Inland Empire officials discern the airport as a growth engine for the region.

In December, the city of Los Angeles reached a tentative deal with the city of Ontario over transferring ownership rights to the latter to end a court battle that began in June 2013 with a lawsuit alleging breach of fiduciary duty
and other contract violations by Los Angeles World Airports, which had been Ontario Airport's overseer since 1985, and a stakeholder since 1967.

The Set Ontario Free campaign alleged LAWA, and by extension the city of Los Angeles, intentionally neglected the airport, allowing business to slide for the benefit of Los Angeles International Airport.

L.A officials countered that nearly $500 million had been invested for upgrades and modifications at Ontario over several decades, and that the decline in economic activity was due to regional factors. Under the agreement reached in December, LAWA will gradually relinquish all supervision of the airfield before the end of this year.

In turn, Ontario will pay LAWA about $150 million, as well as assume all of the airport's debts.

The deal is valued at roughly $250 million. There is also a stipulation that Ontario retain most of the airfield's
current workforce.

A Riverside County Superior Court judge is monitoring the transfer as part of the out-of-court settlement.

Also see:

• Virgin America Expands PSP, SFO Service to Year-Round Schedule
• United Airlines Launch Flights from LAX to San Francisco Using Biofuel

--City News Service/File photo