ONT unveils bold new sign as it celebrates a decade of local ownership

Ontario International Airport (ONT) has unveiled a striking new monument sign which it says marks a powerful visual statement of its transformation and continued momentum after being under local control for a decade.

The new monument at Archibald Avenue and Airport Drive replaces a narrow, understated sign that had greeted visitors since 1998 and is said to usher in a bold, modern landmark that reflects the “renewed energy, pride and ambition of Southern California’s fastest-growing airport”.

Featuring the iconic ONT airport code in towering letters backed by sculpted mountain forms inspired by the nearby San Gabriel Mountains, the monument creates an unmistakable sense of arrival for travelers and visitors alike.

Alan Wapner (second from right), president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners, and Curt Hagman, vice president of the Board, unveil the new monument sign at ONT.

“For nearly three decades, our gateway sign quietly faded into the background,” said Alan Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners.

“Today, we proudly unveil a monument that unmistakably declares who we are and where we are headed.

“This landmark reflects the power of local ownership and stands as a bold statement of ONT’s transformation – one that reaffirms our role as a premier Southern California and international gateway.”

Standing approximately 12 feet tall, each of the three ONT letters is crafted from durable sheet metal, with the full installation weighing more than eight tons.

The monument stretches roughly 60 feet across at its widest point, anchored by a deep concrete foundation that ensures its permanence for generations to come. A series of LED light bars will illuminate the sign at night, with the ability to change colors for holidays, special events and community celebrations.

The unveiling comes as Ontario International Airport continues its yearlong celebration of the Decade of Local Control, which culminates this November, marking 10 years since ownership of the airport transferred from Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

That transition ignited a period of unprecedented growth, customer-focused innovation and regional economic impact, firmly re-establishing ONT as Southern California’s gateway of choice.

According to the airport, for visitors entering the airport campus, the “new monument now delivers an unmistakable message: Ontario International Airport is no longer hidden in plain sight. It stands boldly as a source of regional pride and a beacon of the airport’s continued ascent”.