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Apr. 26, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

McCarran count continues to slide

By BENJAMIN SPILLMAN
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Travelers from a Philippines Airlines flight pass drivers and greeters at McCarran International Airport in March.
Photo by K.M. Cannon

Even one of the biggest-ever trade shows in Las Vegas couldn't lift passenger traffic at McCarran International Airport out of a five-month slump.

The number of air passengers going to and from Las Vegas fell 1.7 percent to 4.1 million in March, despite whatever boost a massive construction show provided to the bottom line.

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    • It's the fourth month-over-month decline at McCarran since November, when traffic dipped 2.4 percent.

    The airport did manage to log an increase greater than 3 percent in February, but it was almost entirely credited to the extra day that came with leap year.

    The March decline was led by a 24 percent decrease in US Airways passengers. US Airways, which carries more passengers to Las Vegas than any airline besides Southwest, has for months been shedding traffic to and from McCarran and dedicating resources to more profitable routes.

    The airline reported this week that it lost $236 million during the first quarter, mostly because of rising fuel costs.

    "The large losses posted by U.S. airlines this quarter, the forecast for further losses and the recent liquidations and bankruptcies of a number of carriers indicate quite clearly that the U.S. airline industry is in financial turmoil," US Airways CEO Doug Parker said in a statement in response to the downturn.

    The airline plans further cuts to its national network. It is also eliminating "ultralow" fares, prices it offered on flights of less than 500 miles.

    Those flights are typical of the kind people might use for an impulse trip to Las Vegas.

    United Airlines, which has raised fares three times in the past three weeks, posted a 12 percent decline at McCarran to about 266,000 passengers for the month.

    American and Delta were flat in March and Southwest posted an increase of more than 4 percent.

    Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air posted an 11 percent increase to more than 173,000 arriving and departing passengers on the month, making it the seventh-largest air passenger supplier to McCarran.

    Nearly 11.3 million travelers have passed through McCarran this year, a drop of less than 1 percent.

    The comparison to March 2007 was down even though this year Las Vegas hosted the ConExpo-Con/Agg construction show. The show, which occurs every three years, attracted a record attendance of nearly 145,000 people.

    Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.

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    Canuck wrote on May 15, 2008 08:48 PM: LOL I like that comment that us Canadians are cheap. Ok so let's see, $125+ a night, airfare for us to Vegas $400-$500 on the average...yes for those Americans we Canadians have what is called a molopolized airline industry where the two companies have the same prices, no competition here.
    Ok so wnow John I am sorry that tipping the Bell Captain a $1 for getting the cab, tipping the cocktail waitress $1-$2 a drink, tipping the Bellhop $2 a bag checked, tipping the bartender $1-$2 a drink, tipping housekeeping $2 a day so $10 for a 5 night stay, tipping the waitress at the restaurant 15%-20% as expected is being cheap.
    DO you think everyone is made of money? After all the tipping and expecting to tip more, we got nothing left to spend.
    Tell me if I am being cheap there buddy. You can't tell me you are not making a good wage where most Casino workers are Unionized as well.
    Geez because the US is in an economic downturn and the US dollar is weak, we International tourists are expected to freely spend in the absence of wild spending Americans who would usually go to Vegas?
    Hey the lower dollar means we can gamble more and accomodations won't cost us 30% more than the rate in US funds.
    Now that $400us is basically $400 Canadian, means we will spend more. Back when $400us was $640 canadian, you wouldn;t be seeing us opening up our wallets with ease. And that was just 6 years ago when the exchange rate was 60%. So feel lucky that non-US visitors are going to Vegas, would you rather be laid off if you only expected US customers?


    local wrote on April 26, 2008 07:14 PM: In Europe, gratuity is often automatically added to the bill. Adding a tip to the bill here is probably an oversight. Don't be so hard on the Europeans, we need thier money.


    Daniel wrote on April 26, 2008 03:02 PM: John whats your address so many of us can make up the tips your not receiving. I am so sorry that you are the only one feeling this economic downtrend. Our dollar is worthless and not one elected official in Washington is doing anything about this, who in the hell is in charge of congress anyone knows.


    Mr. Nugent wrote on April 26, 2008 10:26 AM: John, Quit whinning and quit your job. Cry baby


    JOHN wrote on April 26, 2008 09:56 AM: The tourist that are here...mainly are from Europe, England , Canada, Mexico and all other places that benefit from our weak dollar policy...they are the cheapest people to visit this town...they should recognize our customs of TIPPING...they are killing us!!!
    'I have such anger issues towards these "people"...........I cant tell you how 12 hours a day dealinjg with these people is draining me...
    GOOD NEWS...I WILL SEE THEM ALL ON JUDGEMENT DAY


    Mark$ wrote on April 26, 2008 08:49 AM: Maybe a few slick-back hi-rollers love the new Vegas, where nightclubs & swimming pools cost a thousand dollars and dinner for 2 is 500, but it's obvious the word is getting out, and John Q. Public in Omaha & Akron is figuring out OTHER nice places to vacation, instead of this town where ALL women are pressured to doll up like Tijuana hookers.