Las Vegas is set to experience another record-breaking year at its airport, with Harry Reid International Airport showing a steady increase in passenger traffic. As of October 2024, the airport saw a 1.7% rise in total passenger count compared to the same period last year, with international travel contributing significantly to this growth. The surge in travelers is expected to continue through the holiday season, with expectations that the airport will set a new passenger record for the third consecutive year.
Record-Breaking Numbers Expected
In October, Harry Reid International Airport managed 5.28 million passengers, a slight dip of 3.5% from the 5.47 million passengers in October 2023. However, the year-to-date numbers tell a different story, with a total of 48.8 million passengers through October, surpassing the 47.9 million recorded during the same period in 2023.
The airport’s total passenger count is on track to surpass the previous year’s record of 57.6 million by the end of 2024. The growth in passenger numbers has been driven largely by the recovery in international travel, which has seen significant improvements since the pandemic.
International Travel Soars
One of the standout trends in 2024 has been the remarkable recovery in international passenger traffic. October alone saw a 13.3% year-over-year increase in international travel, with 341,390 international passengers passing through the airport, compared to 315,147 in October 2023. This trend aligns with the broader 2024 growth in international travel, which is up 13% from last year.
The rebound in global travel is largely attributed to the recovery of leisure and business travel, with tourists flocking to Las Vegas from abroad. In fact, international passenger travel has risen by 28% over the course of 2023, a remarkable feat after the severe disruptions of the pandemic years.
Notably, Virgin Atlantic led the charge among international carriers, recording a 39.7% increase in its passenger count. Other airlines, such as Edelweiss (up 27.8%), Air Canada (up 16.5%), KLM (up 10.4%), and British Airways (up 9.3%), also saw significant growth in passengers.
Domestic Travel Shows Modest Growth
While international travel continues to be the major driver of growth at Harry Reid International Airport, domestic travel has shown more modest progress. Domestic passenger numbers for October fell 4.4% compared to the same month in 2023, totaling 4.8 million compared to 5.06 million in October of last year.
Despite the October dip, domestic travel for the year remains slightly ahead of last year’s numbers, with 44.9 million passengers through October, compared to 44.5 million in 2023. This slight increase indicates that the domestic travel market is holding steady, even as international routes continue to experience a faster recovery.
What’s Boosting the Growth?
Several factors are contributing to the continued success of Harry Reid International Airport, with the resurgence in international travel being a key element. The Las Vegas area remains a major global tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. The airport’s growth is also being supported by its expanding network of international airlines, offering more direct flights from key international hubs.
The excitement surrounding major events, such as the Formula 1 race held in Las Vegas over the weekend, also helps boost the number of international passengers. Events like these draw large crowds from overseas, contributing to the uptick in travel through the airport.
Moreover, Las Vegas’s reputation as a vibrant destination for both leisure and business travelers means that the airport is well-positioned to capitalize on trends in the global tourism and hospitality sectors. With new flight routes being added and existing ones seeing stronger demand, Harry Reid International Airport is set to continue benefiting from increased international and domestic travel in the months ahead.
