VEGAS INC coverage
McCarran International Airport showed modest gains in passenger traffic in June, bringing the half-year total to nearly even with last year.
The Clark County Aviation Department reported that 3.7 million passengers used the airport in June, a 1.8 percent increase over June 2012. Gains occurred in domestic, international and air tour segments. International traffic had the biggest percentage increase over last year, with an 8.5 percent jump.
All but one of the top five commercial air carriers serving McCarran had percentage increases over June 2012. Market leader Southwest Airlines was up 2.4 percent to 1.5 million passengers while No. 4 American and No. 5 Allegiant Air had impressive gains of 9.8 percent and 8.8 percent, respectively.
Only No. 3 United Airlines showed a decline among the top five for the month, with a 6.2 percent drop to 316,600 passengers. United has fewer flights and smaller planes on its Las Vegas routes than it had a year ago.
With seasonal service returning for several carriers and others experiencing double-, triple- and quadruple-figure percentage increases for the month, international flights to and from Las Vegas continue to shine.
While four international carriers operating in June 2012 no longer fly their Las Vegas routes, 14 of 15 other airlines had increases for the month.
Panama City-based Copa Airlines, which offered its first Las Vegas flights in June 2012, had a 1,062 percent increase to 7,611 passengers this year. Copa plans to add more Las Vegas flights in December.
For the first half of 2013, international traffic is up 6 percent to 1.5 million passengers.
Total McCarran traffic for the first six months of 2013 was 20.8 million passengers, a 0.1 percent increase over 2012, which had one extra day due to Leap Year.