McCarran consolidates operations as pandemic impacts Las Vegas airport

With most states issuing statewide stay-at-home mandates, it’s no surprise that McCarran International Airport is seeing a major decrease in passenger volume.

Though official March numbers won’t be available until later this month, the airport may be looking at a record-low passenger count when airlines report traffic figures. And April will almost certainly be worse, as Gov. Steve Sisolak has ordered the statewide shutdown of nonessential business to continue through at least April 30, meaning no resorts or attractions to draw visitors to Las Vegas.

All one has to do is walk through the baggage claim and pre-security check areas at McCarran’s two terminals to see that the usually busy and bustling facility is a ghost town.

Because of the reduced passenger volume, McCarran announced Wednesday that it was consolidating some operations for the foreseeable future and closing:

— The B Concourse, including all gates, retailers and concessions.

— The C Annex security checkpoint.

— The secured side of the E Concourse, Level 2, including all gates, retailers and concessions.

Terminal 3 will remain open, with all flights being shifted to the D Concourse.

McCarran is working to minimize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic while remaining in operation. As passenger activity declines, airport officials said they would continue to seek to maximize efficiency while implementing cost-saving measures.

Meanwhile, of the 87 food vendors listed on McCarran’s website, just 20 remained open as of Wednesday afternoon, with some operating with reduced hours. The website showed none of the 13 listed food options open in Terminal 3, where international flights depart and arrive.

“Many stores and restaurants here have temporarily closed due to decreased travel volume, while some remain open to serve the needs of customers and employees who are here,” said airport spokesman Chris Jones. “We’re working to keep our website current on what’s open and what isn’t.”

Of the 125 listed shopping vendors, 37 remained open, including 26 vending machines, according to McCarran. The 24-hour Flower and Sprinkles Cupcakes vending machines are not in operation, while Kylie Cosmetics, Lego and other vending machines are.

The list of open vendors could fluctuate depending on future passenger volume, Jones said, but some will remain open to serve those who still need to travel.

Parking at McCarran has also been consolidated at both terminals 1 and 3, with changes to both short-term and long-term parking. Economy lots and valet remain open at both terminals.

While the short-term impacts are obvious, the long-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic remain unclear.

McCarran and surrounding airports were responsible for a $35 billion economic impact in 2018, with an estimated 80 percent of that tied to arriving passengers, according to an Oxford Economics report released this year.

“It is currently impossible to assess the pandemic’s long-term effects on this or any airport,” Jones said. “Nor can we predict how it will affect this industry’s many business partners, be it airlines, hotels, convention organizers or others. There are too many variables and unknowns to offer such predictions for this, or frankly any other business or industry.”

According the Oxford report, the airport system in the Las Vegas area and related activities are responsible for 250,000 jobs, or 25 percent of all jobs in Clark County.

With many questions still to be answered concerning the pandemic, the impact on staffing and future improvement projects remains to be seen, Jones said.

“It is also premature to discuss any long-term effects the COVID-19 crisis may have on our workforce or the status of capital projects going forward,” he said.

Despite the current travel environment and the reduced flight schedules of many carriers, the airport will remain open, because it is considered an essential service, according to Sisolak’s mandate.

“Only the federal government has the authority to shut down the nation’s airspace,” Jones said. “The Federal Aviation Administration reiterated … it expects all U.S. airports to operate safely and stay open. Consequently, some Department of Aviation staff continue to report to work on-site to maintain our airports’ ability to operate; others are working remotely to better adhere to the governor’s direction to practice social distancing.”

Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.