Vegas airport modernization plan unveiled to prepare for future growth

Harry Reid International Airport is preparing for one of the most ambitious upgrade programs in its history. The Clark County Department of Aviation has detailed a multi-year modernization strategy designed to improve efficiency, expand capacity, and meet the demands of a growing city that welcomed more than 58.4 million passengers in 2024, the busiest year on record.

In 2023, the airport handled 57.65 million passengers, a 9.45 percent jump over 2022. Visitor volume in Las Vegas reached 40.8 million people in 2023, reinforcing the need for expanded infrastructure to manage increasing travel demand.

Terminal 1 expansion

The plan calls for a complete overhaul of Terminal 1. The current circular concourses will be replaced with a pier-style design, creating space for 26 new gates and improving aircraft movement. The new layout will feature wider corridors, larger gate areas, and modern wayfinding systems. Seating areas will be redesigned with more charging stations, improved lighting, and higher ceilings to create a less congested environment.

Airline assignments will be adjusted to distribute passenger volume more evenly between terminals. This reallocation is expected to reduce peak-hour bottlenecks and improve the security screening process, a critical consideration given that through June 2024, the airport saw 28.9 million passengers, a 2.6 percent increase over the prior year.

Baggage system and escalator upgrades

Terminal 1’s baggage handling system is undergoing phased replacement. Two of the new carousels are already in use, with two more set to open in the coming months. The upgraded system will improve reliability and shorten wait times for arriving passengers.

Accessibility is also a key focus. New escalators will connect the baggage claim level directly to the pedestrian bridge and parking garage, allowing a smoother flow from arrival to pickup. These escalator improvements are scheduled to be completed by early 2027.

Passenger amenities

A new 890-square-foot gaming and smoking lounge is under construction near Gate D50. This addition reflects the airport’s approach of combining efficiency upgrades with signature Las Vegas experiences. Expanded dining and retail options are planned throughout the terminals, with an emphasis on local and regional brands.

Roadway and curbside improvements

The modernization strategy includes redesigned road loops and flyover ramps to improve vehicle circulation. Short-term changes will focus on easing congestion during peak pickup and drop-off periods, while long-term projects will reconfigure the main access routes to the terminal fronts.

Two multimodal transportation hubs are proposed for the north and south ends of the airport campus. These facilities will serve rideshares, public buses, hotel shuttles, and employee transit, reducing curbside congestion and improving pedestrian safety.

Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport

The airport modernization plan is closely tied to the development of a second commercial airport in Ivanpah Valley. Known as the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport, this project is intended to handle overflow demand once Harry Reid reaches its practical capacity.

The proposed site covers more than 23,000 acres between Jean and Primm. Plans call for multiple terminals, two long parallel runways, and more than 150 gates. The project would also include new highway access, expanded I-15 lanes, and potential high-speed rail connections.

The Federal Aviation Administration has begun work on the environmental impact statement for the project. Public meetings are underway, and construction could begin before the end of the decade. The supplemental airport is expected to open in the mid-2030s.

Meeting future demand

While 2025 has seen a slight cooling in passenger numbers—with the first five months showing a 3.7 percent drop compared to 2024, including a 6.3 percent year-over-year decline in June—the long-term outlook remains one of sustained growth. International travel has edged upward in 2025, and major events, conventions, and sports tourism continue to attract millions of visitors annually.

The combined effect of near-term upgrades at Harry Reid and the long-range development of the supplemental airport will provide:

• Additional gate capacity to accommodate more flights
• Faster baggage claim and improved accessibility for passengers
• Expanded dining, retail, and lounge offerings
• Smoother vehicle and pedestrian traffic flow
• Long-term infrastructure to support population growth and tourism demand