The Evolution Of Mccarran Airport's Name Change: Reasons And Impact

In 2021, Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport was officially renamed Harry Reid International Airport, honouring the late US congressman and senator from Nevada, Harry Reid. The change was made to reflect Nevada's diverse population and celebrate Reid's contributions to the state, including his role in securing funding for aviation infrastructure and Las Vegas airport expansion projects. The previous namesake of the airport, Senator Pat McCarran, had a legacy marred by racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia, including the imposition of restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust.

McCarran International Airport was renamed to disassociate from Pat McCarran's legacy of racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia

Pat McCarran, a Democratic politician from Reno, Nevada, played a significant role in shaping legislation related to early commercial aviation. He sponsored laws such as the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 and the Federal Airport Act of 1945. He also advocated for the separation of the United States Army Air Forces into an independent Air Force. In recognition of his efforts, an airfield in Las Vegas was named after him in 1941.

However, McCarran's legacy is controversial due to his racist, antisemitic, and xenophobic views and actions. He imposed restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust and attempted to block Jewish people from positions in government. He also had strong anti-communist sentiments and opposed aiding the Soviet Union during World War II, deeming them "godless communists".

In 2021, there were calls to rename the airport to disassociate from McCarran's controversial legacy. Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom led the push for the name change, arguing that it reflected Nevada's diverse population and celebrated former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state. The proposal gained momentum during Black History Month and reflected broader trends of removing racially or culturally offensive names and symbols.

The airport was officially renamed Harry Reid International Airport in December 2021, just two weeks before Reid's death. The cost of the name change, estimated at $2 million, was covered by private donations, including a $1 million pledge from Stephen J. Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts International. The process of changing the signage and other materials associated with the airport's name took several years to complete.

The airport's new name celebrates former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state of Nevada

Senator Harry Reid represented Nevada in Congress from 1983 through 2017, serving in both the US House of Representatives and the Senate. He played a significant role in securing funding for aviation infrastructure during his political career. As Senate Majority Leader, Reid advanced legislation that allowed for the completion of Terminal 3 in 2012 and the construction of a new air traffic control facility that opened in 2016. He was also instrumental in securing the land for the future site of the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport.

The decision to rename the airport garnered national support, with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) issuing a statement backing the change. NATCA President Paul Rinaldi described the new name as "a most fitting tribute to a leader who, for 30 years, was a strong supporter of aviation both in Nevada and across the nation." He highlighted improvements in the transportation industry during Reid's time as a senator, including the construction of new air traffic control towers at Las Vegas and Reno airports to accommodate increased traffic and improve safety.

The renaming of the airport reflects a broader trend of removing racially or culturally offensive names and symbols. Senator Pat McCarran, after whom the airport was originally named, has been criticised for his legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia. McCarran imposed restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust. The push for the name change gained momentum during Black History Month, and the Clark County Commission unanimously approved the change in December 2021, just two weeks before Senator Reid's death.

The name change was supported by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) supported the name change from McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport. The association's president, Paul Rinaldi, issued a statement endorsing the Clark County Commission's unanimous decision to rename the airport after the former Nevada senator. Rinaldi highlighted Senator Reid's strong advocacy for aviation in Nevada and across the nation. He also mentioned improvements in air travel safety and expansion during Reid's tenure, including the construction of new air traffic control towers in Las Vegas and Reno.

NATCA represents over 20,000 aviation safety professionals across the United States. The association's support for the name change reflected its recognition of Senator Reid's contributions to the aviation industry. The new name, Harry Reid International Airport, honours a leader who played a crucial role in making air travel safer and more accessible.

The process of renaming the airport involved several steps. The Clark County Department of Aviation had to send a formal request to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after the decision was made. The FAA would then review the request and make the necessary updates to facilitate a smooth transition. The cost of the name change was estimated to be between $5 million and $7 million, and it was important to ensure that no taxpayer money was used for the renaming. The funds were raised through private donations, including a $1 million pledge from Stephen J. Cloobeck, the founder of Diamond Resorts International.

The name change also reflected a broader trend of removing racially or culturally offensive names and symbols. Senator Pat McCarran, after whom the airport was originally named, had been criticised for his legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia. McCarran had imposed restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust. The renaming of the airport aimed to celebrate former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to Nevada and distance itself from the controversial legacy of Pat McCarran.

The cost of the name change was estimated to be between $2 million and $7 million

The cost of changing the name of McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport was initially estimated to be between $2 million and $5 million. However, former Diamond Resorts CEO and founder Stephen Cloobeck, who donated $2.7 million, stated that the original budget was $5 million. The final cost of the name change is unknown, but it is estimated to be between $5 million and $7 million. The funds to pay for the name change were raised through private donations, with no taxpayer money used. The process of changing the name is expected to take years, and the delay has been attributed to supply chain issues and rising construction costs.

The name change involved updating signage and other materials, and the new name and branding were celebrated with a new monument sign at the airport's entrance. The cost of the name change also included the cost of sending a formal request to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to complete the process. Clark County Department of Aviation Director Rosemary Vassiliadis was responsible for sending the request, which included the minutes from the commission meeting where the name change was voted on.

The proposal to change the name of the airport came amid Black History Month and reflected broader trends to remove racially or culturally offensive names and symbols. The previous name of the airport, McCarran International Airport, was named after Senator Pat McCarran, who was criticised for his legacy of racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia. McCarran imposed restrictive immigration policies that limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust and attempted to block Jewish people from positions in government. The name change aimed to celebrate former US Senator Harry Reid's contributions to the state of Nevada, particularly his role in expanding the airport and securing funding for aviation infrastructure.

The name change was funded by private donations

The name change from McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport was funded by private donations. The cost of the name change was estimated to be between $5 million and $7 million. Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom confirmed that the name change would be covered by private donations and would not cost taxpayers any money.

The largest donation came from Stephen J. Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts International, who pledged $1 million to the cause. Cloobeck was unhappy with the delay in changing the signage and wanted transparency on where the money was being spent. In addition to Cloobeck's donation, the Kirk Kerkorian Foundation also contributed financially to the name change.

The name change was driven by a desire to disassociate the airport from the legacy of Senator Pat McCarran, who was criticised for his racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic views. McCarran was known for his restrictive immigration policies, which limited Jewish refugee immigration after the Holocaust. The new name, Harry Reid International Airport, honours the contributions of former US Senator Harry Reid, who played a significant role in expanding the airport and securing funding for aviation infrastructure.

The process of renaming the airport began in 2021, with the Clark County Commission voting unanimously in favour of the change. However, as of 2024, the new signage was still not complete, with Clark County citing supply chain issues and rising construction costs as reasons for the delay. Despite the delays, the name change was supported by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which recognised Senator Reid's strong support for aviation in Nevada and across the nation.

Frequently asked questions