Vegas saw huge rise in September traffic

Friday, Oct. 15, 1999 | 11:35 a.m.

McCarran International Airport said big increases by Southwest, America West and National airlines led to a whopping 21.1 percent increase in its September passenger count over September 1998.

McCarran said it served 2.878 million people in September vs. 2.376 million in September 1998 and 2.4 million in September 1997. This is the highest monthly jump in five years and reflects strong demand for Las Vegas vacations by gamblers coming to see the city's new megaresorts including Bellagio, Venetian, Paris and Mandalay Bay.

Southwest Airlines, the No. 1 carrier at McCarran, reported its volume increased 18 percent to nearly 798,000 people. National, a new carrier, served 78,000 people.

Also of significance was the 17.6 percent increase at America West Airlines, the No. 2 carrier in Las Vegas. America West last year diverted some resources from Las Vegas and until recently had reported declining passenger counts.

America West served 433,000 Las Vegas passengers in September 1997, declined to 400,000 in September 1998 and rebounded to 471,000 in September 1999.

The gaming industry applauded the overall 21.1 percent increase in September traffic.

"We believe this month's increase is significant as this number has been a fairly reliable indicator over the previous month of visitation to the Las Vegas market, which is one of the primary drivers of the growth of Las Vegas Strip revenues," Bear Stearns analysts said in a new report today. "We believe Mandalay Resort Group, MGM Grand, Mirage Resorts, Harrah's Entertainment and Park Place Entertainment should be the prime beneficiaries of this strength."