Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport (LAS) will be renamed after politician Harry Reid. The Clark County Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to name the airport after the former United States Senator from Nevada.
Time for a change
The county’s airport staff have been directed to file a name change with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The new name will read as Harry Reid International Airport.
Patrick McCarran, the figure that the site is currently named after, served as one of Nevada’s two US senators from 1933 until his passing in 1954. He also made significant contributions to US aviation, including the authoring of the 1938 Civil Aeronautics Act.
However, USA Today highlights that calls have been long-standing calls to change the name of the Paradise, Nevada facility. Members of the public and stakeholders in the area voiced concerns over McCarran’s anti-immigrant and anti-Semitic views. For instance, MGM Resorts’ leadership said that because of McCarran’s support for racist and anti-Semitic policies, his name shouldn’t be the first one people see when landing in the state.
The new name
Subsequently, Reid, the former Senate majority leader, who retired in 2016 after serving 30 years, was given the accolade. The proposal was put forward by Commissioner Tick Segerblom.
There has been a mixed response to renaming the airport with another politician’s name. Nevertheless, Reid is grateful for such an honor.
“It is with humility that I express my appreciation for the recognition today,” Reid said in a statement seen by Simple Flying.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Commissioner Segerblom, the entire Clark County Commission, and the many others who have played a part in this renaming.”
The next chapter
At the end of last month, the airport shared that it served 22.2 million passengers in 2020. This was the site’s first year-over-year decline in passengers in a decade and a drop from 51.5 million passengers in 2019.
Nonetheless, officials at LAS highlight how the airport stayed open for those needing to fly. It also assisted with the shipment and delivery of vital cargo, such as personal protection equipment. Management is also confident with the recovery progress.
“As a provider of essential transportation, We remain committed to doubling down on our efforts to ensure the airport is a safe and healthy environment for those choosing to travel as we begin our comeback in 2021. I have confidence that the vaccine will be a stimulus to air travel.” Rosemary Vassiliadis, Clark County Director of Aviation said in a press release seen by Simple Flying.
“We know that there is pent-up demand for this destination, and the airport will be at the forefront of the Las Vegas recovery effort.”
So, LAS will be bouncing back with a new name to match the next chapter. The airport will undoubtedly be hoping for better prospects by the time this year is over.
What are your thoughts about the renaming of Las Vegas’ McCarran International? Do you think that this is a good move for the airport? Let us know what you think of the situation in the comment section.
