What upgrades are cleared for takeoff next at Las Vegas airport?

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Steve Marcus

New flooring is shown in the baggage claim at McCarran International Airport Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. Airport officials celebrated the completion of $30 million Terminal 1 renovation project.

Mon, Feb 5, 2018 (2 a.m.)

McCarran International Airport officials seem to always be looking toward the future. Whether it is a project under construction or in the works, the enhancement planning never stops.

Made evident by the $30 million upgrade of Terminal 1 unveiled last month, McCarran officials say they intend to not only maintain an appearance of innovation but also feature the latest technology.

“We always want to keep on the cutting edge of technology,” said Rosemary Vassiliadis, director of the Clark County Aviation Department. “So when there are new programs out there, we like to have them pilot here in Las Vegas.”

The airport partners with the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and airlines to stay current with trends and expectations. As the city continues to grow, so does the airport.

“That’s the story of this airport,” Vassiliadis said. “We continue to expand to serve the ever-growing passenger volume.”

Here’s a look of what to expect at McCarran as the airport looks toward the future.

Upscale lounge

When McCarran in 2016 added a direct flight to China, it also upped its service to accommodate those travelers by providing slippers and a hot water supply. Those types of luxuries are staples in an upscale lounge, which is being planned for McCarran.

Plans are still being developed for the 18- to 24-month project.

“It helps with our international travelers,” she said. “There’s just some expectations with different cultures and we learned that. We work with our concessionaires as well.”

Ivanpah Valley Airport

McCarran saw 48.5 million passengers in 2017 and is inching toward its annual capacity of 53 million. When that occurs, a 6,500-acre site located south of Las Vegas near Jean would be an option for a second commercial airport.

“It won’t be like Denver, it doesn’t have that type of capacity, but we have to be ready,” Vassiliadis said. “We have a city that grew up around the airport. We have mountains that restrict the type of lift that we have.”

With no regular delays coming in or out of McCarran, Vassiliadis said it will still be some time until any developing occurs on the land.

“Our biggest factor for growth is hotel booms,” Vassiliadis said. “At the end of the day, the one thing that brings air travel is additional hotel rooms.”

Increased shopping

With Las Vegas known for its luxury shopping options, airport officials don’t miss out on such retail opportunities at the airport. They plan to add upscale stores in the terminals.

“Whatever it may be, we want to make sure we are on the forefront of that,” Vassiliadis said.

Other shopping options being considered include stores with impulse items such as souvenir shirts or travel accessories such neck pillows.

“It will give our customers a nice range of what they can buy here,” Vassiliadis said.

Updated restaurants

McCarran is labeled as an origination and destination airport, meaning it has few transferring passengers. Because of that, Vassiliadis said to quick-eating options are a priority over sit-down ones.

“You’re going to see a little bit more on the fast-food side,” she said.

Vassiliadis didn't divulge which brands are going to open next at the airport but said to expect a few annually.

“Every year we want to do two to three different ones,” she said.

The need to refresh the sit-down restaurants exists as well, and McCarran is particular on where they place those.

“We try to put a sit-down restaurant in a good path of travel to a concourse so there’s that availability,” she said.

Updated technology

McCarran was recently designated an innovation site by the TSA, making it one of few airports that will test pilot projects in prototype technology, process or staffing solutions. TSA has a spot in the lower level of Terminal 3 where pilot programs will be tested.

“We love when the federal government wants to pilot any of their programs here,” Vassiliadis said. “With our peaks and valleys, we think if a pilot program can work here, it can work anywhere.

McCarran is also one of nine airports that feature face-scanning biometric exit technology on some international flights. TSA also upgraded its baggage inline screening system in Terminal 1 with a $57 million refresh.

Additionally, a $9 million upgrade to the airport’s closed-circuit security system will be installed in the coming years. The system can pinpoint suspicious activity and determine whether additional response, including law enforcement, is needed.

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