Ruth Haines
The Las Vegas airport, formerly known as McCarran International Airport, was renamed Harry Reid International Airport in 2021. The airport, which is located 5 miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas, first opened in 1943 as Alamo Field, catering to general aviation. It was renamed McCarran Field in 1948 after Senator Pat McCarran, who played a significant role in shaping aviation legislation. However, McCarran's legacy has been controversial due to his racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic views, which led to the push for renaming the airport. The new name honors the late US congressman and senator from Nevada, Harry Reid, who was instrumental in the airport's growth and development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Previous name | McCarran International Airport |
| New name | Harry Reid International Airport |
| Previous namesake | Pat McCarran |
| New namesake | Harry Reid |
| Reason for renaming | Concerns over the legacy of Pat McCarran, who was accused of holding racist, antisemitic, and xenophobic views |
| Date of renaming | December 14, 2021 |
| Location | 5 miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas |
| Area | 2,800 acres (4.4 sq mi; 11.3 km2) |
| Number of runways | 4 |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
Senator Pat McCarran's legacy
Patrick Anthony McCarran, born in 1876 in Reno, Nevada, was an American farmer, attorney, judge, and Democratic politician. McCarran's political career spanned over fifty years, and he represented Nevada in the United States Senate from 1933 until 1954.
McCarran's legacy is a complex one. On the one hand, he was known for his support of workers' rights and his role in shaping the country's aviation industry. He helped supply construction materials for the building of Las Vegas, and Las Vegas's airport was originally named McCarran Field in his honour. He also successfully lobbied the federal government to establish a military airfield near Las Vegas in 1941, which eventually grew to become Nellis Air Force Base.
However, McCarran's legacy is also marred by accusations of racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism. His immigration restriction policies were particularly controversial, and he was in conflict with the Franklin Roosevelt administration over cooperation with the Soviet Union during World War II. In 2017, a bill was introduced in the Nevada State Senate to remove a statue of McCarran and rename McCarran International Airport, but it failed to pass.
In February 2021, the Clark County Commission decided to rename the airport to Harry Reid International Airport, which officially took effect on December 14, 2021. This decision was made due to concerns over McCarran's legacy of racist and antisemitic views, with commissioners feeling it was necessary to distance the airport from such a controversial figure. Despite this, some argue that removing McCarran's name from the airport erases a part of the country's history, and that it is better to acknowledge and learn from the past rather than try to hide it.
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Harry Reid's achievements
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International Airport, is the primary international airport serving the Las Vegas Valley. The airport was renamed to honour the late U.S. congressman and senator from Nevada, Harry Reid. The decision to rename the airport was made by the Clark County Commission in February 2021 and took effect on 14 December 2021, just two weeks before Reid's death from cancer.
Harry Mason Reid Jr. was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States senator from Nevada for three decades, from 1987 to 2017. He was also the Senate Majority Leader from 2007 to 2015 and led the Senate Democratic Caucus from 2005 to 2017. Here are some of his notable achievements:
- Reid was an accomplished amateur boxer in high school and college, a trait that many felt reflected his tenacious approach to political fights.
- He was skilled in political organising and getting out the vote, and his voter coalition, the "Reid Machine", was credited with several statewide Democratic wins, including Hillary Clinton's victory in the 2016 United States presidential election in Nevada.
- Reid prioritised collaboration and involved groups that were not typically included in negotiations. He pursued political issues deemed unpopular at the time, such as his support for the DREAM Act in 2010.
- He was passionate about the environment and conservation in Nevada. He expanded the state's renewable energy portfolio, conserved thousands of acres of land, and re-engineered water deals.
- Reid was honoured with a lifetime achievement award from the League of Conservation Voters in 2015 and was recognised by the Conservation Lands Foundation in 2016 for his "historic contributions to conservation".
- He played a crucial role in the expansion of Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport (now Harry Reid International Airport). Clark County Director of Aviation, Rosemary Vassiliadis, acknowledged that the airport's Terminal 3, which houses international flights and facilitates new market connections, was made possible by Reid's efforts in Congress.
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The airport's history
The history of the airport serving Las Vegas, Nevada, dates back to the 1920s. The first iteration of the airport was built on an airfield known as Anderson Field, which opened in 1920.
In 1941, an airfield was named after Democratic politician Senator Pat McCarran, who was born in Reno, Nevada, in 1876. McCarran played a significant role in shaping legislation related to early commercial aviation, sponsoring laws such as the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 and the Federal Airport Act of 1945. He also helped fund the purchase of land and build the first Las Vegas Field terminal. In December 1948, the airport was renamed McCarran Field and began receiving passenger flights.
The growth of the Las Vegas casino industry during the 1950s fuelled a rise in air traffic, with nearly one million passengers passing through the airport in 1959. The airport underwent expansions and innovations over the years to accommodate the increasing passenger counts. In 1982, for example, the airport was expanded with funding from a $300 million bond issue, which included the addition of a new central terminal and runway expansion.
In December 2021, the airport was renamed Harry Reid International Airport after the late U.S. congressman and senator from Nevada, Harry Reid. The decision to rename the airport was made by the Clark County Commission in February 2021 and took effect on December 14, 2021. The renaming was prompted by concerns over McCarran's legacy, as he was accused of holding racist, antisemitic, and xenophobic views. The commissioners felt it was necessary to distance the airport from a figure associated with such negative beliefs and instead honour a figure who had contributed significantly to the state.
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The renaming ceremony
The decision to rename the airport was made by the Clark County Commission in February 2021 and was prompted by concerns over the legacy of Pat McCarran, the previous namesake. McCarran, a Democratic politician and senator from Nevada, played a significant role in shaping aviation legislation and policy. However, he was also accused of holding racist, antisemitic, and xenophobic views, which led to the push for a name change.
The new name honours Harry Reid, a former US Senator from Nevada. Speakers at the ceremony highlighted Reid's contributions to the state, including his role in the airport's tremendous growth and expansion. They also acknowledged his efforts in Congress, particularly during the Great Recession, which helped secure funding for various projects in Las Vegas.
The renaming of the Las Vegas airport reflects a broader trend of removing racially or culturally offensive names and symbols, aiming to create a more inclusive and equitable society. While some critics argue that changing the names of landmarks with historical significance erases a part of history, proponents believe it is a necessary step towards acknowledging past wrongs and achieving historical justice.
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Reactions to the renaming
The renaming of Las Vegas' airport from McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport has been met with a range of reactions, with some celebrating the change, while others have expressed concerns about erasing history.
Support for the Renaming
The decision to rename the airport was driven by concerns over the legacy of Pat McCarran, the airport's previous namesake. McCarran has been accused of holding racist, antisemitic, and xenophobic views, including imposing restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust. The push for the name change gained momentum following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide protests against racial injustice. Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, who led the renaming effort, stated that it was necessary to distance the airport from a figure associated with such negative beliefs and behaviors.
Supporters of the renaming, including Clark County officials and the Reid family, have expressed gratitude and pride in honouring a leader who contributed significantly to the state of Nevada. They highlighted Harry Reid's role in the growth of the airport and his dedication to the state during his 30-year tenure in the Senate. The renaming was also seen as a step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society, reflecting broader trends to remove racially or culturally offensive names and symbols.
Opposition to the Renaming
Some critics of the renaming argue that changing the names of places or landmarks with historical significance can erase a part of the country's history. They believe that instead of renaming, it is important to acknowledge and learn from the past, even if it involves controversial figures. Patrick Anthony McCarran, a Democratic politician from Nevada, played a significant role in shaping early aviation legislation and advocated for a strong national defence.
Neutral Reactions
While some passengers may not be familiar with Harry Reid, the state of Nevada recognises his legacy as the longest-serving US senator in the state's history. The airport's operational aspects, such as flight services and convenience, remain unchanged, ensuring travellers continue to experience the same excellent service they associate with the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Las Vegas airport was renamed from McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport.
The Las Vegas airport was renamed on December 14, 2021.
The Las Vegas airport was previously named after Pat McCarran, a Democratic politician born in Reno, Nevada, in 1876.
The airport was renamed due to concerns over Pat McCarran's legacy, as he was accused of holding racist, antisemitic, and xenophobic views.
The airport is currently named after Harry Reid, a US senator from Nevada who spent 30 years in the Senate, including eight years as majority leader.
