Las Vegas Airport Renaming: What's In A Name?

Yes, the Las Vegas airport has been renamed. Formerly known as McCarran International Airport, the airport was renamed in December 2021 to honour former senator Harry Reid. The airport, now known as Harry Reid International Airport, was originally named after senator Pat McCarran, who contributed greatly to the development of aviation in Las Vegas and the United States. However, his legacy has been marred by accusations of racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia.

Senator Pat McCarran's legacy

Senator Patrick Anthony McCarran, born in 1876 in Reno, Nevada, was a prominent politician with a lengthy career in public service. McCarran's legacy is marked by significant contributions and controversies.

McCarran's political career spanned over fifty years, during which he served as a farmer, attorney, judge, and Democratic politician. He represented Nevada in various capacities, including in the Nevada Assembly, as Nye County District Attorney, and as a justice of the Supreme Court of Nevada. In 1932, at the age of 56, he was elected to the United States Senate, serving from 1933 until his passing in 1954.

McCarran played a crucial role in shaping early commercial aviation legislation. He sponsored significant laws, such as the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, and lobbied for federal public works and benefits for his home state. His support for the aviation industry resulted in Las Vegas's McCarran Field, now known as Harry Reid International Airport, being named after him. Additionally, McCarran successfully lobbied the federal government to establish a military airfield northeast of Las Vegas, which later became Nellis Air Force Base.

However, McCarran's legacy is also marred by accounts of racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism. His opposition to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies and cooperation with the Soviet Union during World War II caused tension within his own Democratic Party. McCarran's stance on immigration and his association with political boss Wingfield drew criticism, and he became known as a "dangerous radical" to some.

In recent years, societal pushes to remove historically offensive names have led to the renaming of several places, including the Las Vegas airport. In December 2021, the airport was renamed from McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport to honor Senator Harry Reid's contributions and distance itself from McCarran's controversial legacy.

Harry Reid's legacy

In December 2021, the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport was renamed in honour of the late Democratic US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid's legacy is a complex one, with his legislative accomplishments as a senator from Nevada being both praised and criticised.

Harry Reid served in the US Senate for 30 years, including eight years as Democratic Majority Leader from 2007 to 2015. He was the longest-serving senator in Nevada's history when he retired in 2017. During his time in office, Reid championed the $787 billion Recovery Act economic stimulus programme and the Affordable Care Act of 2013, which he considered among his greatest legislative achievements. He also played a role in ending "don't ask, don't tell" and ratifying the New START Treaty.

Reid's legacy is also marked by his environmental efforts. In his final year in the Senate, he persuaded President Barack Obama to establish the Basin and Range National Monument, encompassing nearly one million acres of Nevada's iconic mountain ranges and desert valleys. Additionally, he helped facilitate a bipartisan deal that allowed Las Vegas to continue growing while also funding the protection of important wild lands.

However, Reid's legacy is not without controversy. Some have criticised his relatively conservative views on social issues, and his role as Senate Majority Leader has been described as harmful to the institution. Nevertheless, those who knew him, including President Joe Biden, have spoken of his character and dedication to his family and the people he served.

The airport's history of name changes

The Las Vegas airport has undergone a series of name changes over the years, reflecting societal shifts and honouring notable individuals. The airport's history of name changes is an intriguing journey that began with its early establishment.

The airport's story starts in 1920 with the opening of Anderson Field, an airfield that served as a precursor to the future aviation hub. Two decades later, in the early 1940s, the airport was named McCarran Field, honouring Senator Pat McCarran, a native of Nevada. Senator McCarran played a significant role in shaping aviation-related legislation and contributed to the development of aviation in Las Vegas and the United States.

In December 1948, the airport was officially renamed McCarran International Airport, solidifying its status as a hub for commercial aviation. The airport's growth was fuelled by the thriving Las Vegas casino industry, leading to a significant increase in air traffic over the years.

However, as societal values evolved, Senator McCarran's legacy became controversial due to accusations of racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia. In 2021, the airport underwent another renaming, this time honouring Senator Harry Reid, the longest-serving senator in Nevada's history. The new name, Harry Reid International Airport, aimed to recognize Senator Reid's contributions to the state and distance itself from the controversial legacy associated with Senator McCarran.

The name change to honour Senator Reid was met with gratitude by his family and tributes from various speakers, acknowledging his impact on the airport's growth and Nevada's economy. Despite some criticism of the renaming, the airport embraced its new identity as Harry Reid International Airport, updating its social media accounts and signage to reflect the change.

The Las Vegas airport's history of name changes is a reflection of the evolving societal values and the influence of notable individuals on the aviation industry and the state of Nevada.

The airport's growth

The Las Vegas airport, now known as the Harry Reid International Airport, has grown significantly over the years, both in terms of infrastructure and passenger traffic. The airport was first built on an airfield known as Anderson Field, which opened in 1920. In the 1940s, the airport was named McCarran Field after Senator Pat McCarran, a powerful member of Congress who contributed greatly to the development of aviation in Las Vegas and the United States.

The growth of the Las Vegas casino industry in the 1950s fueled a rise in air traffic, with the city going from receiving 36,000 passengers in 1948 to nearly one million in 1959. The airport expanded over the years, and in December 1991, the Charter/International Terminal, later renamed Terminal 2, was opened. In 1994, a cargo center was also dedicated.

By the late 1990s, Southwest Airlines had become the largest carrier at the airport, overtaking America West. This was due to its high frequency of flights, cheap tickets, and collaboration with local resorts. The construction of Terminal 3, which houses international flights, further expanded the airport's connection to new markets. In 2024, the airport saw a record-breaking number of passengers, with over 58.4 million people passing through its gates.

Reactions to the renaming

The renaming of Las Vegas airport has been met with a range of reactions, with some celebrating the change and others expressing criticism and concern.

Supporters of the renaming include officials and family members of Harry Reid, who have expressed gratitude and honour at the change. Rory Reid, in particular, stated that the family was "eternally grateful" for the airport now bearing his name. Nevada officials, such as Sisolak, have also paid tribute to Reid, highlighting his contributions to the state and his legacy as the longest-serving senator in Nevada history. Clark County Director of Aviation, Rosemary Vassiliadis, emphasised Reid's role in the airport's expansion and connection to new markets, especially during the Great Recession.

On the other hand, critics of the renaming have argued that the change erases history and does not address the complexities of the past. Some have questioned the decision to replace the name of a controversial figure, Pat McCarran, with that of another politician, Harry Reid, who has also been accused of using race as a political tool and making controversial remarks. Critics have expressed concern about "rewriting history" and engaging in "social politics" rather than acknowledging the problematic aspects of both men's legacies.

The renaming of the airport reflects a broader societal trend of removing historically offensive names and disowning personalities linked to racism, colonialism, and other harmful ideologies. While supporters argue that this practice acknowledges past wrongs and achieves historical justice, critics caution that it can simplify history and fail to address the context in which controversial figures operated.

Overall, the reactions to the renaming of Las Vegas airport have been mixed, with some celebrating the honouring of Harry Reid and his contributions to Nevada, while others have raised concerns about the erasure of history and the complexities of addressing controversial legacies.

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