Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has announced that 10 private companies have apparently shown interest in managing Ontario International Airport, following a call for expressions of interest last January, as LAWA considers contracting Ontario out to a private company.

Ontario Airport has lost considerable traffic in recent years with 4.8m passengers last year, compared with 7.2m in 2007. Companies said to be interested in managing the airport – if LAWA goes ahead with the project – are said to include both US and international entities. 

“This encouraging response is an indication that Ontario is a key asset for the city of Los Angeles,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director of Los Angeles World Airports. “Despite being affected by the economic slowdown, Ontario remains an important airport in our system and the sheer number of inquiries demonstrates that others feel the same way.” 

Meanwhile, Ontario city officials are in separate talks with Los Angeles World Airports in an attempt to gain control of the airport. If they are successful, they say, they will follow up with four of the companies that have so far expressed interest.