Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport plans to double the number of international gates as the airport looks to ramp up connectivity from international markets.
Airport officials are eying more flights from Asia and some of the new gates will be capable of handling wide-body double-decker A-380 aircraft.
"We don’t want them to think they can’t come here," said McCarran International Airport director Rosemary Vassiliadis.
The $51 million project calls for the conversion of a link between its D concourse and one of its two terminals into seven new international gates.
The airport fears it is missing out as other airports such as Boston, Seattle and Houston snag direct flights from Asia.
Vassiliadis said airports such as these are attracting international carrier with financial incentives such as reduced landing fees and subsidized marketing.
Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said the authority is considering a specific program aimed at attracting airlift from Asia, particularly flights from China.
The airport served 42.9 million passengers last year and has a capacity of about 55 million, Vassiliadis said.
