Building Nevada - June 2004

Up, Up and Away

New Airport Construction Taking Flight

by Sharon Rorman

Despite setbacks caused by the Sept. 11 tragedies, the airline industry in
America is strong, with people traveling more than ever. Passenger volume, security
concerns and modernization have prompted aggressive construction and expansion
at nearly all airports in the country, including those in Nevada.

McCarran International Airport

One of the top 10 busiest airports in the world, nearly half of all Las Vegas
visitors arrive by air through McCarran International Airport, making it a
major driving force in Southern Nevada, adding about $25 billion per
year to the local economy. "In addition to these tangible benefits, McCarran
is a valuable community asset that links Southern Nevada to the national air
transportation system and brings the world to Las Vegas," said Randy Walker,
director of aviation for Clark County.

More than 36 million passengers passed through McCarran International in
2003. Since every newly built hotel room means an additional 330 passengers
annually, passenger volume is projected to reach McCarran’s maximum capacity of 50
million passengers per year within the next 15 to 20 years.

Clark County’s Department of Aviation has plans in place to reinforce its
facilities. But accommodating an increase in passengers takes more than just
adding more flights and taxiways. While McCarran’s airfield can handle this projected growth to up 50 million passengers, its aircraft gates, ticket counters, baggage claim facilities and roadways servicing the airport cannot.

A new terminal, Terminal 3, will have eight to 14 gates and an underground people-mover connecting it to the main terminal. It will handle domestic and international flights, including baggage claim, ticketing and parking facilities. Terminal 3 will be built where Russell Road is now, and the street will be relocated slightly north of its current location later this year. "We start the design phase of Terminal 3 in 2005," said Carl Scarbrough, airport planner. "Construction should begin between 2008 and 2009."

Before Terminal 3 is built, 10 gates will be added to Concourse D in the
northeast wing of Terminal 1. "We’re shooting to open before the holidays this year,"
Scarbrough said. Another nine gates in Concourse D are slated to be constructed before
2020.

One of the most obvious projects to travelers will be the expansion of all security areas. Checkpoints for the C and D gates are being stretched over the top of the south baggage-claim area to better accommodate passenger traffic in peak hours. Other security-related projects include a new audio-video communication system that will involve plasma screen monitors with speakers at security checkpoints for concourses A, B, C, D and Terminal 2. Even on a light travel day, McCarran’s lobby seems crowded, partially because the bag-screening equipment needed due to increased security measures takes up a lot of space. New bag-screening facilities will be constructed behind the ticketing area, which will free up the lobby for passengers. Terminal 1 will have new baggage-claim devices in 2007.

The county was recently awarded a $24.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Aviation to enable it to complete a renovation of southwest-by-northeast runways and adjacent Taxiway D. Taxiway C will also be extended to handle peak-hour aircraft departures from Runway 25R without blocking access to the D-concourse ramp. At the same time, taxiway B will be overhauled.

A new rental-car terminal to consolidate rental agencies is scheduled to open in mid-2006. Once the car-rental counters are gone from the main terminal, that space will be used to add two more baggage carousels.

Costs for projects on the drawing board at McCarran total more than an estimated $1.46 billion.

When McCarran eventually reaches 90 percent of its capacity – sometime around
2017 – the county will begin construction on a new international airport between Jean and Primm. The 6,000-acre Ivanpah Valley site has available airspace, good terrain and access from Interstate i5.

In addition to McCarran, there are five general aviation airports operated by Clark
County: the North Las Vegas Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, Jean Sport
Aviation Center, Overton Municipal Airport and Searchlight Airport, all designed to handle smaller aircraft. "McCarran’s successful handling of the projected 50 million passengers per year hinges on the ability of the North Las Vegas and Henderson Executive Airports to meet future growth in general aviation activity and attract a portion of the existing general aviation activity away from McCarran," said Walker.

North Las Vegas Airport

In 2003, the North Las Vegas Airport had 227,302 takeoffs and landings, making it one of the top-100 busiest among the nation’s 5,300 public use airports, according to Airport Manager Doug McNeeley.

Designed as a reliever airport, North Las Vegas is authorized to receive, and
hopefully reduce, the general aviation traffic from McCarran. "When a general-aviation aircraft comes in, it uses a bigger hole of airspace, (meaning it takes longer to land)," said Scarbrough. So, if more of the smaller aircraft land at either North Las Vegas or Henderson Executive airports, it allows McCarran to use airspace more efficiently.

North Las Vegas houses most of the Valley’s tourist-services aircraft, which fly tour groups to the Grand Canyon and other points of interest. These small air-charter flights also provide medical flights for patients needing organ transplants or critical treatments, as well as overnight courier services. "We handle about three-quarters of a million people [through our terminal] each year," McNeeley said. About 50 percent of the air traffic at the airport is business-related, with the remainder recreational or pilot training.

Henderson Executive Airport

Two new runways will be constructed at the Henderson Executive Airport as
part of a plan to support private hangar development. The next major project is a
new $16 million terminal and air traffic control tower, with design and construction to begin in the fourth quarter of 2004. By freeing up more airspace capacity at McCarran, the Henderson airport expansion helps push back the date when the Ivanpah project will become a necessity.

Reno/Tahoe International Airport

The Airport Authority of Washoe County has $14.8 million worth of construction projects underway, with another $67.4 million proposed for 2005. "Maintaining and enhancing the airport is part of the Airport Authority’s dedication to the highest levels of customer service," said Krys T. Bart, A.A.E., executive director of the Airport Authority of Washoe County. "Our slogan is: ‘Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere,’ and our airport enhancements are designed to move passengers through our constantly-improving facilities in the fastest and safest manner possible."

The Reno/Tahoe International Airport’s east-west runway, primarily used for
general aviation aircraft, is undergoing drainage improvements, relocation of utilities and realignment of runway pavements. New airfield guidance signs are currently being replaced and added for improved ground/navigation information.

The Reno/Tahoe International Airport’s east-west runway, primarily used for
general aviation aircraft, is undergoing drainage improvements, relocation of utilities and realignment of runway pavements. New airfield guidance signs are currently being replaced and added for improved ground/navigation information. END OF PLUGGED-IN INFO.

Reno Stead Airport

Construction is also in progress at the Reno Stead Airport. The main 8,080-foot-long runway is being extended to a full 9,000 feet. The additional 920 feet will accommodate larger, heavier aircraft and will add to the capabilities of this general aviation reliever airport, located north of the city. Demolition and reconstruction of the runway and associated drainage, lighting and runway striping is expected to be
complete by November.

During the coming fiscal year, proposed new construction projects include terminal building modernization, building maintenance shop relocation and customer parking lot improvements.

Elko Regional Airport

In the past five years Elko Regional Airport has spent about $22 million, most notably for its new terminal complex. Airport Director Cris Jensen says the complex, completed
in August 2001, is more user-friendly for the traveling public. The new terminal has a modern baggage conveyor system, restaurants for patrons on both sides of the security checkpoint, as well as a jet bridge that serves three aircraft at one time.

"Expansion has been necessary over the years to accommodate increased air traffic," Jensen said. Skywest Airlines has eight daily flights and Casino Express up to four per day, together reaching more than 90 communities around country whose residents come into Elko for gaming and outdoor recreation.

This year Elko will relocate a parallel taxiway, conduct drainage improvements,
build a new maintenance shop and begin work on security upgrades, for a total cost
of around $8 million. New security measures will incorporate closed-circuit television and biometric access control systems. "This gives us an additional level of security, so that
only appropriate people have access to secured areas," Jensen said. "A lot has
changed [since Sept. 11]. We are much more focused. Security has always been
important, but prior to Sept. 11 we probably would not have spent this much money on
it."

Other projects include a new command center, new gates and fencing, most of
which is funded through federal grants and the federally-managed Airport Improvement Program. About $27 million worth of improvements are planned for Elko’s airport over the next five years.

Minden/Tahoe Airport

Projects at the Minden/Tahoe Airport in the next five years call for a $1.3 million overlay of the main runway. Another $1.4 million is to be spent on the Bliss Road extension to help expand development on east side of airport. Jim Braswell, operational services director and airport manager for Douglas County, cited safety as the main concern. "We need another road to avoid having golf carts cross active runways," he said.

Host to the annual Wings of Change air event taking place from June 25-27, the
Minden-Tahoe Airport is a fast growing general aviation facility. Besides federally-funded construction projects, private funds are being used to develop a 100,000-square-foot building that will be available for lease by aviation-related businesses, such as an aircraft paint shop, specialty shops for propeller or engine repair and a fixed-base operator for corporate aircraft maintenance and fueling.

"It’s good to see things start to turn around after Sept. 11," Braswell said.
"The market is now starting to show a strong comeback." He noted that more corporate CEOs are now flying in privately-owned aircraft, rather than using commercial airlines. "The way we view business travel has been changed forever," he stated.

Download map: http://www.nevadadot.com/traveler/maps/StateMaps/pdfs/Airport2002.pdf