Ontario going to court over airport ownership

The city claims that Los Angeles World Airports, the operating authority for LA/Ontario International Airport, has neglected and mismanaged the facility. The city of L.A. has offered to sell the airport for $474 million, but Ontario officials say the value is much lower. Passenger traffic has been plummeting in recent years, though LAWA officials say that's the result of an industry-wide preference for LAX, rather than any effort to reduce Ontario's operations. A lawsuit has not yet been filed and Ontario officials still sound willing to work out a deal. From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune:

Ontario filed a 67-page administrative claim to the city of Los Angeles on Thursday morning contending that the city and Los Angeles World Airports has chronically neglect and mismanaged ONT. LAWA operates and managers ONT, Los Angeles International and Van Nuys airports. According to the claim, Ontario is seeking to terminate the 1967 [Joint Powers Authority agreement] because LAWA has been unwilling to comply with the terms of the agreement, including attracting new air service at ONT. "LAWA is currently driving ONT into financial and operational ruin, constituting a material breach of written agreements between Los Angeles and Ontario. LAWA overtly favors LAX to the extreme prejudice of ONT and to the detriment of each and every resident of Southern California, and those around the world seeking to fly to the area," according to the claim.