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McCarran International Airport, formerly known as Alamo Field, was renamed Harry Reid International Airport in December 2021. The airport, which serves the Las Vegas Valley, was originally named after Democratic politician Patrick Anthony McCarran, who played a significant role in shaping early commercial aviation legislation. However, McCarran was also known for his racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic views, and his legacy sparked the call for the airport's renaming. The new name celebrates former US senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state of Nevada.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Old Name | McCarran International Airport |
| New Name | Harry Reid International Airport |
| Previous Names | Alamo Field, McCarran Field, Anderson Field |
| Location | 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd., Las Vegas, NV |
| Year Opened | 1942 |
| Year Commercial Flights Began | 1948 |
| Year Renamed | 2021 |
| Owner | Clark County |
| Operator | Clark County's Department of Aviation |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Number of Gates | 110 |
| Number of Gate Areas (Concourses) | 5 |
| Notable Features | Slot machines inside terminals, The Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum |
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What You'll Learn
McCarran International Airport renamed
McCarran International Airport was officially renamed Harry Reid International Airport on December 14, 2021. The airport, which serves the Las Vegas Valley, was previously named after Patrick Anthony McCarran, a Democratic politician from Nevada. McCarran played a significant role in shaping early commercial aviation legislation and funding the first Las Vegas Field terminal. However, he was also criticized for his legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia, particularly his restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust.
The push to rename the airport began in February 2021 when the Clark County Commission voted unanimously to remove McCarran's name. The proposal came during Black History Month and reflected broader trends to remove racially or culturally offensive names and symbols. The new name, Harry Reid International Airport, honors the late US senator from Nevada, Harry Reid. Reid was the longest-serving US senator in Nevada's history and a former senate majority leader.
The renaming of the airport was not without controversy, with some people expressing their preference for the previous name, McCarran International Airport. Others questioned the decision to name the airport after a politician, suggesting that Las Vegas International Airport would have been a more suitable choice. Despite these objections, the airport's rebranding was seen as a positive step by many, reflecting Nevada's diverse population and celebrating Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state.
The airport, located five miles south of downtown Las Vegas, covers 2,800 acres of land and features four runways and two terminals. It is one of the busiest airports in North America, serving over 58.4 million passengers in 2024. The airport is also unique in that it is one of only two airports in the United States with slot machines inside the terminals.
With its rich history, dating back to the 1920s, the airport has undergone several name changes and expansions. It first opened as Alamo Field in 1942, catering to general aviation. In December 1948, it was renamed McCarran Field after Senator Pat McCarran, and it became the primary commercial airport in Las Vegas. Over the years, it expanded and innovated, adding Terminal 3 in 2012. The airport's latest renaming honors Senator Harry Reid, recognizing his contributions to Nevada and his long history with the state.
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Harry Reid International Airport
The airport was originally called Alamo Field when it opened in January 1943, catering to general aviation. In December 1948, it was renamed McCarran Field after U.S. senator Pat McCarran, and it began receiving commercial passenger flights. McCarran played a significant role in shaping early aviation legislation, sponsoring laws such as the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 and the Federal Airport Act of 1945. However, he also had a controversial legacy, including racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic stances, which led to the push for renaming the airport.
In February 2021, the Clark County Commission voted unanimously to rename the airport after Senator Harry Reid, recognising his contributions to the state of Nevada. The official renaming ceremony took place on December 14, 2021, just two weeks before the ex-senator's death. Harry Reid International Airport has four runways and two terminals with five gate areas, all connected by a people mover system. It is one of the busiest airports in North America, serving over 58.4 million passengers in 2024.
The airport is accessible via Paradise Road and Russell Road from the north and the Harry Reid Airport Connector from the south. It offers a consolidated rental car facility located three miles away, with shuttle buses connecting to the terminals. Harry Reid International Airport is also served by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada's public bus system. Additionally, it is one of only two airports in the United States with slot machines inside the terminals.
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Senator Pat McCarran's legacy
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is named after former Nevada senator Pat McCarran, who played a significant role in the development of aviation in the state and across the country. Born in 1876 in Reno, McCarran became a prominent political figure in Nevada, serving as a United States Senator from 1933 until his death in 1954. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is often remembered for his controversial views and actions, particularly in relation to communism and immigration. However, his support for aviation and his contributions to the development of Las Vegas and Nevada are also a part of his legacy.
McCarran also sponsored and supported legislation that aided the growth of commercial aviation nationwide. He authored the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, which established the Civil Aeronautics Authority, a predecessor to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This act provided for the regulation of commercial aviation, including the establishment of safety standards and the allocation of air mail contracts, which were crucial for the development of the industry. Additionally, McCarran sponsored the Universal Military Training and Service Act of 1948, which, among other things, provided for the expansion and improvement of airports across the country.
Beyond his contributions to aviation, Senator Pat McCarran also left a mark on the development of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada. He was a key figure in the passage of the Boulder Canyon Project Act, which authorized the construction of Hoover Dam, a significant source of electricity and a major tourist attraction. McCarran also played a role in the growth of the gaming and entertainment industry in Las Vegas. He supported legislation that legalized gambling and regulated it, which helped transform Las Vegas into the gaming capital of the world. The development of the Las Vegas Strip and the growth of the city's entertainment industry were, in part, facilitated by McCarran's actions.
However, Senator McCarran's legacy is not without controversy. He is often remembered for his anti-communist views and his opposition to the immigration of foreigners with leftist political beliefs. He sponsored the McCarran Internal Security Act of 1950, which required communist organizations to register with the government and restricted the entry and naturalization of suspected communists. Additionally, his comments and actions regarding African Americans and civil rights issues have also been a source of criticism.
In conclusion, while Senator Pat McCarran's legacy is marred by controversial views and actions, his support for aviation and his contributions to the development of Nevada, particularly Las Vegas, are significant. His efforts to secure funding for airport construction and expansion, his sponsorship of aviation-related legislation, and his role in boosting the state's tourism and entertainment industries have left a lasting impact on the Silver State. The presence of McCarran International Airport, bearing his name, serves as a reminder of his efforts to bring air travel and economic growth to Nevada.
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Criticism of Senator Pat McCarran
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas was named after former Nevada senator Pat McCarran. McCarran was a Democrat and the first senator from Nevada to serve three terms. He was known for his strong support of states' rights and opposition to the federal government, which led to some controversial stances and decisions during his political career. As a result, McCarran has been a figure of criticism and controversy, particularly for his anti-immigrant and racist views, which have led to calls for the airport to be renamed.
Pat McCarran has been widely criticized for his racist and anti-immigrant views, which were a significant part of his political platform. He was a vocal opponent of the Civil Rights Movement and worked to prevent the integration of African Americans into society. McCarran supported segregation and opposed anti-lynching legislation, going so far as to block bills that would have made lynching a federal crime. He also opposed the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
McCarran's anti-immigrant stance was also a key part of his political career. He sponsored the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, which maintained the national origins quota system that heavily restricted immigration from non-European countries. This system was designed to maintain the demographic composition of the United States as predominantly white, Northern European, and Christian. The McCarran-Walter Act also allowed the government to deport immigrants or deny them entry if they were suspected of holding "subversive" political beliefs, a provision that was often used to target left-wing activists and suspected communists.
In addition to his racist and anti-immigrant views, McCarran was also criticized for his anti-Semitism. He was a staunch opponent of the creation of the state of Israel and made numerous anti-Semitic remarks throughout his career. McCarran accused Jewish Americans of having dual loyalty and claimed that they could not be trusted to put the interests of the United States first. He also opposed efforts to rescue Jewish refugees during and after World War II, arguing that they posed a security threat and should not be allowed into the country.
McCarran's legacy has been the subject of significant controversy in recent years, with many calling for the airport in Las Vegas to be renamed. Critics argue that McCarran's name on the airport, a major gateway to the city, serves as an endorsement of his racist and discriminatory views. In 2020, the Las Vegas City Council passed a resolution urging the county to change the airport's name, but the effort was ultimately unsuccessful.
Despite his controversial legacy, supporters of McCarran point to his support for labor unions and his role in the development of Nevada, particularly Las Vegas, as reasons to maintain his recognition. McCarran played a key role in the construction of the Hoover Dam and the growth of the aviation industry in the state. However, critics argue that these contributions do not outweigh the harm caused by his discriminatory policies and that removing his name from the airport would send a powerful message against racism and intolerance.
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History of the airport
Harry Reid International Airport (IATA: LAS, ICAO: KLAS, FAA LID: LAS), formerly known as McCarran International Airport, is the primary international airport serving the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada. The airport is located five miles (8 km; 4 nmi) south of downtown Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise, and covers 2,800 acres (4.4 sq mi; 11.3 km2) of land. It is owned by Clark County and operated by the county's Department of Aviation. The airport has four runways and two terminals with five gate areas (concourses) all connected with a people mover system.
The airport opened in January 1943 as Alamo Field and initially catered to general aviation. In December 1948, it was renamed McCarran Field after Senator Pat McCarran, and it became the primary commercial airport in Las Vegas. McCarran was a Democratic politician born in Reno, Nevada, in 1876. He 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. However, McCarran had a controversial legacy, including racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic stances. He was also a leading anti-Communist in the Senate, sponsoring the McCarran Internal Security Act in 1950, which required Communist organizations to register with the Attorney General.
In February 2021, the Clark County Commission voted unanimously to rename the airport after U.S. senator Harry Reid of Nevada, who had served as the state's senator and senate majority leader for many years. The commissioners believed that Pat McCarran's legacy was offensive and that the new name would celebrate Reid's contributions to the state. On December 14, 2021, the airport was officially renamed Harry Reid International Airport, just two weeks before the ex-senator's death.
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Frequently asked questions
Harry Reid International Airport.
On December 14, 2021.
McCarran Airport was renamed due to Senator Pat McCarran's legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia. The new name celebrates former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state of Nevada.
