By Brian Rokos

Canyon Lake City Council members, acting on a request from Ontario, will consider a resolution Wednesday that would throw their support behind the San Bernardino County city’s quest to gain sole control over its airport.

Ontario International Airport is operated by Los Angeles World Airports under a joint powers agreement. A report prepared by Ontario said Los Angeles World Airports has burdened the Ontario airport with high labor costs as well as high landing fees that make it unprofitable for airlines to serve Ontario.

With fewer and more expensive flights at Ontario, many Inland travelers are instead driving to Los Angeles International Airport to fly.

A Jan. 9 letter from the Ontario City Council urging Canyon Lake to adopt the resolution said that over the past four years, the airport has lost one third of its passengers, costing the Inland Empire economy $500 million annually and 9,250 jobs. The letter did not offer a basis for its estimate on the economy and jobs.

The report also said Los Angeles World Airports has cut the amount it spends marketing Ontario by 85 percent since 2007.

Canyon Lake Mayor Jordan Ehrenkranz said he supports the resolution.

“By all means,” he said. “Whatever it takes to get people to fly out of Ontario. Probably half the people here in Canyon Lake use Ontario.”

The resolution would be sent to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Michael Huerta, acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Also Wednesday, the council will hear a mid-year budget review and an update on negotiations with Cal Fire on a new contract.

Council members also will vote on whether to extend a moratorium on new digital signs.

The council meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Canyon Lake Municipal Building, 31512 Railroad Canyon Road, Canyon Lake.