On May 20th, the Los Angeles-Taiwan American Chamber of Commerce (TACCLA), in collaboration with Ontario International Airport (ONT) and UPS air cargo facilities, organized the “Global Business Cooperation Summit.” The event brought together nearly a hundred Taiwanese-American businesses, aviation, and logistics professionals for a day of airport tours and discussions focusing on the development of aviation logistics in Southern California, the layout of Asian routes, and cross-Pacific supply chain opportunities.
TACCLA President Jian Zhicheng stated that the preparation for this event took several months, aiming to provide members with in-depth understanding of trends in the aviation logistics industry through on-site visits and professional exchanges. The event also aimed to facilitate more international business cooperation opportunities between Taiwanese and American businesses.
The activities were divided into a VIP tour in the morning and a forum in the afternoon. Participants in the morning had the opportunity to visit the normally restricted areas of the ONT airside by special transport, getting a close look at UPS Boeing 747 freighter aircraft and cargo facilities. Attendees learned that this aircraft model can carry approximately 46 cargo unit load devices (ULDs) at once, transporting around 40,000 to 50,000 parcels per flight, including the loading of large cargo through the nose door.
UPS facilities at ONT serve as a key air freight hub on the west coast, covering destinations across the western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. They play a crucial role in the cross-Pacific logistics chain, transshipping to various Asian cities through Anchorage, Alaska.
Atif Elkadi, CEO of ONT, emphasized that the airport is not just about flights and runways but serves as a vital hub connecting people, businesses, markets, and the global economy. ONT is currently ranked as the tenth busiest cargo airport in the United States, with UPS operating locally for over 40 years, while FedEx and Amazon Prime Air also have significant presences.
Regarding the development of Asian routes, Elkadi mentioned that when China Airlines launched the direct flight from ONT to Taipei in 2018, there were doubts about market demand. However, the success now proves strong demand for direct flights to Asia from Southern California. Recently, Starlux Airlines has also joined operations, making ONT one of the few international airports in Southern California, along with Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), to have dual direct routes to Taipei.
Elkadi stressed that there is no reason for Southern California to have only one airport serving Asia. ONT will continue to deepen its connections with Asian markets, further enhancing its international passenger and cargo capacities.
Curt Hagman, Deputy Chairman of the Ontario International Airport Authority and a San Bernardino County Supervisor, highlighted San Bernardino County’s investment advantages from a regional economic perspective. He mentioned that the county currently has 910 foreign-funded businesses, creating over 26,000 job opportunities, with major investments coming from Asian regions such as Japan and Taiwan.
Hagman pointed out that San Bernardino County, with an area of over 22,000 square miles, is one of the largest counties in the United States, housing three foreign trade zones. These zones offer sales tax exemptions, property tax incentives, and diverse subsidy programs to welcome more Taiwanese companies to invest and establish manufacturing facilities.
Since regaining local management rights nine years ago, the airport’s daily flight frequency has more than tripled, now offering 82 flights daily to over 30 domestic and international destinations. ONT generates approximately $3.8 billion in economic output for the local area annually, with the logistics industry contributing up to $17.8 billion in economic benefits.
In terms of international transportation growth, Hagman mentioned that ONT’s international passenger volume grew by 55% from March of last year to this year, with a remarkable increase of over 58% in the first quarter of this year alone. Cargo volume also increased by 15% in March compared to the same period last year, indicating a continued rise in international transportation demand at the airport.
Addressing concerns of companies regarding energy and infrastructure, Hagman acknowledged that California’s high electricity costs pose a challenge for attracting investments in high technology and data centers. However, the county government is actively promoting renewable energy and self-generated energy programs to reduce operational costs for businesses and enhance overall competitiveness.
He also mentioned that San Bernardino County hosts the only rare earth mineral reserve in the United States, with several mines being developed. Additionally, the high-speed rail project from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga through the county is anticipated to boost regional development prospects.
Deputy Director Chen Lingxin of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, attending the forum, highlighted the bilateral trade between California and Taiwan, which reached approximately $77 billion last year, constituting nearly one-third of the overall Taiwan-US trade. She emphasized Taiwan’s importance as a key partner for the United States in areas such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and green technology. The roles played by ONT and the Inland Empire region in the cross-Pacific supply chain were crucial in expediting the circulation of high-tech products and precision equipment between Taiwan and the United States.
Regarding customs facilities, Hagman revealed that ONT currently has only one international arrival port, and the county government is collaborating with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to complete the construction of new customs facilities within the next six months. This improvement will significantly enhance ONT’s capacity for accommodating international belly and direct cargo flights, attracting more international airlines to establish services at the airport.