LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Clark County Aviation leaders laid out an ambitious plan to modernize Harry Reid International Airport while also moving forward with plans for a possible second commercial airport in Southern Nevada.
Officials said the upgrades are critical as Las Vegas prepares for major events and continued growth.
“The infrastructure itself needs to be updated; A and B gates are nearing or just eclipsed 50 years old,” Director of Aviation James Chrisley said.
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Tuesday’s presentation at the Clark County Commission outlined a modernization plan designed to maximize capacity and efficiency at Harry Reid Airport.
Chrisley said the plan also aims to improve reliable connections between terminals and the Las Vegas business core.
One of the largest projects centers on Terminal 3. Chrisley said the ticketing level would be reconfigured to better support airline operations, allowing the airport to add about 30 new ticket counters without expanding the building’s footprint.
“Really trying to separate the inner airport traffic from the commuter traffic that goes through that very busy Paradise University Center route,” Chrisley said.
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Terminal 1 is also slated for a major redevelopment. Plans include world-class concessions, additional restrooms, larger passenger hold rooms, and advanced baggage and security systems, all wrapped in a Las Vegas-themed design meant to reflect the city’s identity.
Transportation improvements are another key piece of the plan. New terminal-to-terminal flyovers would separate commuter traffic from airport circulation, while a single-point urban interchange is designed to simplify traffic flow and improve safety around the airport.
Clark County officials said one of the biggest challenges at Harry Reid Airport is congestion caused by single-ride Uber and Lyft trips, especially during peak travel hours.
Their goal is to give travelers more options.
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“Last thing they want to do with is delays, so they have tricks in their bag to be able to reconfigure operations to minimize those impacts,” Chrisley said.
According to aviation officials, Harry Reid Airport could face severe capacity constraints by 2033 if long-term solutions aren’t in place.
That concern comes as Las Vegas prepares to host more major events in the future.
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