Mid-size airports like Ontario have no such protection and as such are hardest hit by the industrywide retrenchment.
When Ontario built its two new terminals, airlines agreed to share the airport's operating costs with one another. Consequently, as airlines leave, the remaining carriers are left with a larger obligation and will have to pay more to keep the airport solvent.
Airport officials say they can cushion the blow at Ontario under a new U.S. Department of Transportation order that will allow revenue to be transferred from LAX to Ontario -- if LAX can afford it.
Ontario's comparatively low fares and high operating costs are compounding the problem. The airport has typically drawn discount airlines that don't offer more lucrative first-class seating or other amenities.
But with passengers accustomed to lower fares than elsewhere, airlines at Ontario have had difficulty raising ticket prices to levels they say they need to meet the rising costs.
"Ontario is a victim of the 'toos' -- too poor, too competitive and fares are too low," said Jack Keady, an aviation consultant based in Playa del Rey. "You have a low-airfare environment with high airline costs."
Jess Romo, the airport's director, said Ontario was taking a number of steps to reduce expenses, including turning off lights at unused gates, using its staff more effectively and pushing hard to attract other airlines to the airport.
The downturn "is a disappointment, but you have to keep it in the context of what is happening industrywide," Romo said. "If you just look at the geography of the airport, it still has the potential for growth. Politically, geographically and from a business standpoint, this airport is ready to accept more activity as the demand returns."
And L.A. Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents areas around LAX, insisted that the airline downturn wouldn't kill the idea of spreading air travel around to regional airports such as Ontario.
"Regionalism is not dead," he said. "There's going to be 25 million people from Santa Barbara to San Diego. There is a market for long-distance, nonstop flights at Ontario."
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dan.weikel@latimes.com
peter.pae@latimes.com
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