For Rosemary Vassiliadis, it’s important that people visiting Las Vegas understand that life in Southern Nevada isn’t just the Strip.
“That’s one of the reasons you’ll see so much children’s artwork and other local artists’ works displayed at McCarran [International Airport],” said Vassiliadis, Clark County’s director of aviation. “We want visitors to see there are families here; there is culture and so much more than people see if they don’t venture beyond the Strip.”
Lately, though, relatively few visitors have gotten to see much of any of the state. Air travel is the lifeblood of tourism in Nevada—and, by extension, the state’s residents—and while Vassiliadis was unwilling to make a prediction as to when tourism would rebound to its previous heights, she did discuss opportunities the county seized during the slowdown caused by the pandemic.
Do you have any recent news you’d like to share?
Even while dealing with the effects of this pandemic, we continue to plan for what the future will bring. We know that the allure of the destination will continue to bring more and more people back, and we are preparing for the critical role we will play. In January 2020, we released a report by Oxford Economics that found the McCarran Airport system generates nearly $35 billion in annual economic output, and supports nearly 250,000 jobs in Southern Nevada. While those numbers aren’t the same given the pandemic, they underscore the responsibility we hold as this region’s economy recovers from COVID-19.
Beyond the immediate future, we continue to prepare for our expected long-term growth. Planning for the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport project along I-15 near Primm continued throughout 2020, with the studies required by the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) moving forward. While still in the early phases, this remains a critical project for our community’s future. This second commercial airport will give us much needed airspace, airfield and surface curb space.
Other than the pandemic, what challenges have you faced in local aviation facilities the past year?
I’ve learned that running an aviation system often presents challenges most people outside this industry would never consider. McCarran’s location in the middle of an urban core that continues to develop has led to encroachment issues. There are many businesses looking to build on the land near the airport; however, that comes with the risk of hindering airport operations. Anything built too close to the airport may directly or indirectly reduce the airport’s capacity, which will have an impact on the number of visitors who will be able to fly in and out. While continued growth is important to the community, we must ensure new developments don’t choke out the airport’s ability to effectively serve the traveling public.
What approaches has McCarran taken to mitigate any negative impacts related to COVID-19 and tourism?
Since the beginning, McCarran has doubled down on mitigating the spread of COVID-19 through enhanced cleaning practices. It quickly became apparent there was a need to communicate this hard work to our customers, which led to the launch of the “LAS All In” public awareness campaign last May. This Vegas-themed effort included signage throughout the airport, social media posts and media outreach. We also collaborated with partner airlines and airports to highlight what they are doing to keep travelers safe and healthy. In order for people to begin flying again, they must feel comfortable during each part of their journey. We want travelers to know that we have gone “All In” and have made their needs our priority whenever they decide to fly again.
How long do you think it will take for Las Vegas tourism to make a full recovery?
It is impossible to predict when a full recovery will happen, but I am confident Las Vegas will be at the forefront when it does come. Historically, this market has come out of downturns more quickly than others. I am hopeful for the effects of a successful vaccine distribution, though I want to caution that it will not bring an immediate return to pre-pandemic travel numbers. It will be a critical step toward bringing back large-scale conventions, sporting events and concerts. We cannot begin to talk about a “full recovery” until those high-volume events have resumed and people are again comfortable in attending them.
With the city at a pause, what projects—relating to aviation—was the county able to accomplish that possibly wouldn’t happen under normal circumstances?
The renovation of the C Concourse was a project already in the plans pre-pandemic, but we were able to expedite it due to the decline of passenger volume. The concourse, which serves as the local base for Southwest Airlines, is receiving updated flooring, more charging stations and space-efficient gate podiums to create more room for travelers. We rarely get the chance to complete a major project with minimal impact to travelers, which is why it was such a no-brainer to move ahead with this job back in September. With fewer passengers and flights to work around, we can complete each phase faster and for less cost than we would have otherwise.
We also were able to apply for grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that will allow us to complete upgrades at Henderson Executive Airport, and update facilities at McCarran, including a holding pad and gate. These were projects we would not have undertaken right away had it not been for grant monies made available during the pandemic.
What is trending in the aviation industry in general?
While travel remains down overall, we have seen that domestic leisure travel makes up the largest faction of those still choosing to fly. Business travel is virtually nonexistent, and various restrictions have limited international options outside of Mexico. Those who are flying right now are typically going to see friends and family, or enjoying a vacation getaway.
Describe your leadership style. How did you refine your approach during COVID?
I’m very team focused, and I believe that served me well during the pandemic; really the only refinements involved trying to be more proactive in how often, and in what manner I communicated with those around me. We’ve used a lot of new tools, from online town halls for employees to everyday videoconference meetings with outside parties, in order to stay in close touch with others. I have particularly placed an importance on two-way communication, as it is essential to hear from our employees, airline partners and concessions.
What is the soundest advice you’ve received recently?
“Play the players, not the cards!” In our customer service industry where we serve the world, we need to accommodate their needs, not what we think they should have. When we welcomed out first nonstop flight from China, we introduced a “China Ready” program throughout the airport. When this pandemic severely hit our traffic and our passengers were nervous and needed to feel safe, we rolled out the “All In” program. It’s not about me or I, it’s about those we serve.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
It would have to be being the first large airport to reopen after 9/11, which included security measures and getting recertified to operate. We had tens of thousands of visitors in town who just wanted to go home. Being able to open the day the FAA reopened the airspace allowed us to begin getting them home.
What are you reading right now? Or binge-watching?
My husband and I are both from Chicago so for us, there was nothing better than “The Last Dance” on ESPN this past spring. There will never be another Michael Jordan, and revisiting those great Bulls teams was a welcome distraction, especially at a time when live sports hadn’t yet resumed.
How do you wind down after a long day or busy week?
I dream of the days when I can return to the nail salon without worries, or once more just spend some time at the spa with my daughter.
What is something that people might not know about you?
I am very passionate about stopping the epidemic of human trafficking. Unfortunately, traffickers often use airports when moving victims from city to city. To combat this, we’ve created an awareness program that’s shared with every person who works at McCarran. We’ll regularly bring in experts—social workers, law enforcement agents, sometimes even trafficking victims who’ll share their personal experiences. This is done so workers here might learn to identify victims, and potentially provide them with resources or assistance as they’re being moved through the airport. Airports are a key location to display the National Human Trafficking Hotline and let the victims know they do not have to remain invisible.
This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.