McCarran sets new annual record with 46.2 million passengers in 2006.

Apr 21, 2007 11:06:43

McCarran sets new annual record with 46.2 million passengers in 2006. LAS VEGAS – McCarran International Airport recently completed the busiest year in its 58-year history with nearly 46.2 million arriving and departing passengers reported in calendar 2006. The total marked a 4.4 percent increase from 2005, which was previously McCarran’s busiest year with nearly 44.3 million passengers. “We’re accustomed to growth in Southern Nevada, and we strive to make sure this airport is able to accommodate the community’s ongoing demand for additional air service,” said Randall H. Walker, Clark County Director of Aviation. “We’re proud of what we accomplished in 2006, and we’ll continue to do the work necessary to safely bring more travelers through McCarran in 2007 and beyond.” In addition to setting a new annual passenger record, 2006 saw numerous changes, improvements and accomplishments at the nation’s fifth-busiest airport. Work continued on the nearly $4 billion in capital additions planned for McCarran over the next five years, including the renovation of the airport’s older A and B concourses, as well as early development of the new northwest wing at McCarran’s 8-year-old D concourse. Planning continued for Terminal 3, a $1.8 billion expansion that will give McCarran additional ticketing counters, departure gates and parking when it opens in 2011. In addition, a new $165 million Consolidated Rental Car Facility will soon open near Warm Springs Road and the Las Vegas Beltway. It will ease traffic congestion near the airport while providing travelers with a one-stop shopping opportunity when selecting from multiple car rental companies. Despite the rising passenger counts and ongoing development, McCarran’s commitment to service never wavered. In June, McCarran ranked first in overall passenger satisfaction among large airports, according to the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2006 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Respondents were particularly impressed with McCarran’s check-in/baggage services, security checkpoints and terminal facilities, the survey reported. Last year saw the debut of Airport SpeedCheck Advance, an innovative off-site baggage check-in service that lets Southwest Airlines customers safely and securely drop off their bags at The Venetian, Luxor and Las Vegas Convention Center. Additional airlines and hotel-casino partners will be added over the next several months. Low-cost carriers continued to fuel McCarran’s growth, led by market leader Southwest Airlines’ 11.3 percent increase in 2006 passenger activity. America West, which recently merged with US Airways, reported 6.7 percent growth last year, while Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air enjoyed a nearly 60 percent increase in traffic thanks to additional service to numerous smaller markets. McCarran’s international service was buoyed by September’s launch of three weekly roundtrip flights to Seoul on South Korea’s flagship carrier, Korean Air. Virgin Atlan