The return of the Las Vegas Grand Prix has not translated into a boost for Harry Reid International Airport, which experienced a significant decline in passenger numbers in November. The airport handled approximately 4.28 million arriving and departing travelers, marking a 9.6% decrease from the 4.73 million passengers recorded in the same month last year, as reported by the Clark County Department of Aviation.
These monthly figures are crucial indicators of travel demand in Las Vegas, a city heavily reliant on tourism. Compounding the issue, November saw disruptions due to a federal government shutdown that resulted in mandatory flight reductions at various airports, including Harry Reid. These measures were implemented to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers and affected numerous flights for several days until the shutdown ended.
As of November, year-to-date totals reveal that the airport has served 50.62 million passengers, a 5.5% decline compared to the same period in 2024. This downturn in travel is particularly evident among domestic travelers, whose numbers dropped by 8.8% year-over-year, totaling about 3.96 million.
While Southwest and United Airlines reported passenger gains among the top five domestic carriers, Delta, American, and Frontier all faced declines. Spirit Airlines, which is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings, made significant cuts to its routes in Las Vegas, leading to an alarming 70% decrease in its passenger numbers.
International travel also faced challenges, with a decline of over 21% from November of the previous year. Canadian airlines, including Air Canada and WestJet, noted drops of around 40% and 30%, respectively. Virgin Atlantic, which offers services from Las Vegas to various cities in the United Kingdom, recorded a steep 34% decline year-over-year.
Despite the setbacks in passenger numbers, the return of significant events like the Grand Prix reflects a cautious optimism for the local tourism sector. Stakeholders are hopeful that as travel conditions stabilize, the airport and Las Vegas tourism will rebound in the coming months.