Launched in 2022, the ONT+ Visitor Pass Program is a free digital initiative that allows non-ticketed visitors to enter post-security areas of the terminal. The program enables friends and family members to accompany departing passengers to the gate or to access restaurants and retail outlets located beyond security checkpoints.
Ontario International Airport was the first airport in the United States to introduce a fully digital visitor pass program and remains among a small group of U.S. airports offering this level of controlled terminal access. As of late December, the program had recorded 98,854 registered users, with steady growth continuing during the peak holiday travel period.
A central element behind the program’s success has been close operational coordination with the Transportation Security Administration, ensuring that expanded access is delivered while maintaining strict security standards.
“ONT+ is about putting people first, whether they’re traveling or simply here to support someone they care about,” said Atif Elkadi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. “Working closely with TSA, ONT helped set a new standard by safely reopening terminal access, an approach that is now being replicated at airports across California and the country.”
The initiative has attracted national attention as airports across the United States reassess how to reintroduce limited public access beyond security, an amenity that largely disappeared following the events of 9/11.
Looking ahead, Ontario International Airport said it continues to review potential enhancements to the ONT+ program, while maintaining a focus on safety, efficiency and customer experience. These priorities have been central to the airport’s strategy since its return to local ownership in 2016.
In October, ONT also launched a year-long celebration marking a decade of local control. Operating under the theme “Reclaimed. Revived. Ready.”, the campaign includes community events, in-terminal activations and digital storytelling, culminating in the official anniversary on November 1, 2026.
