Key points in Las Vegas aviation history
1920
First plane lands in Las Vegas on May 7. For three days the pilot sells $10 rides. First airstrip, Anderson Field, opens six months later at what is now the site of the Sahara.
1929
Businessman Peter Albert "Pop" Simon opens an airfield north of town. Only one airline used it.
1942
Aircraft salesman George Crockett builds Alamo Field at current McCarran site as a refueling stop for private flights between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. A small terminal fronts Highway 91, now Las Vegas Boulevard South.
1948
County buys Alamo Field and renames it Clark County Public Airport. Four airlines with 12 flights a day move there. The military takes over Simon’s field, now known as Nellis Air Force Base.
1963
New terminal sited on Paradise Road, over the opposition of Strip hotel-casino operators who fear passengers would go straight to Fremont Street.
1965
What was comonly called McCarran Field formally renamed McCarran Airport, after former Sen. Pat McCarran, D-Nev.
1987
A $300 million expansion is completed, including Concourse C, enlarged baggage claim and parking garage.
1990
An expansion study suggests two terminals east of Concourse C. One became Concourse D, the other Terminal 3.
1991
What is now Terminal 2 opens, primarily for charter flights. International service is a minor consideration.
1998
First phase of Concourse D opens.
2005
Expansion of Concourse D completed, adding 11 gates.
2007
Terminal 3 ground breaking in June. Passenger count hits record high of 47.7 million.
2011
Annual passenger traffic down to 41.5 million.
2012
Terminal 3 opens on June 27 with 14 gates, 1.9 million square feet and 5,954 parking spaces.
Terminal 3 Guide
