Ontario International Airport (ONT) wins top North American honor for social media campaigns
iSpyVNY- December 18, 2025
Ontario, CA — Ontario International Airport (ONT) has charted a striking turnaround since separating from Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) in November 2016, a move driven by years of conflict, litigation, and allegations that mismanagement had contributed to a steep decline in passenger traffic. Under local control, ONT has rebuilt its operations and returned its annual passenger volume to more than seven million. The airport recently earned a top North American award for its social media campaigns, recognized for keeping travelers and the community informed.
On Dec. 10 the airport announced that it is again earning national acclaim for excellence in marketing and communications, reporting that Ontario International Airport has received the top North American award for Social Media Campaigns from Airports Council International–North America.
The honor recognizes ONT’s “Open Mic” series, a social media feature built around spontaneous performances and unscripted moments captured inside the terminal. The series competed in a category that does not separate airports by size, placing ONT directly against the largest hubs in the United States and Canada.
The concept was developed by social media specialist Sabine West, with production support from creative producer Christopher Min and the airport’s communications and marketing team. The videos appear on ONT’s Instagram account, where the series has become one of the airport’s most visible storytelling tools.
Airport CEO Atif Elkadi said the recognition reflects the airport’s effort to highlight the character of its travelers and the region it serves. “Our Open Mic series captures the energy of our travelers and celebrates the unique sense of place that makes ONT Southern California’s airport of choice,” he said.
ONT also received finalist honors in two additional ACI‑NA categories: Radio Advertising, for its “Not So Fast” campaign promoting the convenience of flying from Ontario, and Overall Public Relations Program (Medium Airports), for its “So Cal. So Easy.” community engagement initiative.ACI‑NA reported more than 400 entries across all categories this year, making the competition one of the most crowded in the program’s history.
Eren Cello, the airport authority’s senior vice president of communications and marketing, said the recognition shows that ONT’s approach is resonating both with travelers and within the industry. “We’re committed to elevating the ONT brand in ways that are meaningful, memorable, and true to who we are,” she said.