Editorial: Making the wrong turn

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 | 7:19 a.m.

C owing to political pressure from Summerlin residents, the Las Vegas City Council is unfortunately pressing ahead with its lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration.

Despite council rhetoric about safety, the environment or the noise, this is a classic, and costly, case of NIMBYism. The City Council is acquiescing to the politically powerful enclave of Summerlin , where many residents are upset that the FAA approved a so-called "right turn" flight path that sends planes over western Las Vegas.

The city has already spent $100,000 and recently approved spending up to $300,000 more to continue the fight. The cost of this lawsuit, though, could be more than just the lawyers' fees. Clark County officials say that should, by some miracle, the city win, it will affect the region's economy. The right turn allows more planes to take off from McCarran International Airport, which cuts down on delays, reducing airplane emissions from idling, and adds to the airport's capacity.

McCarran saw more than 46 million passengers - the lifeblood of a tourist-based economy - go through its gates last year. Given that McCarran is expected to reach capacity in the next three to eight years, trying to constrict the airport further is foolish. As reported by Mark Hansel in Monday's Las Vegas Sun, if McCarran reaches capacity and the right turn is scrapped, the airport will see about 1 million fewer passengers a year and the region will see a drop of $330 million in non gaming revenue.

All because some residents on the western side of the valley don't want to deal with one of the effects of tourism?

The city has gone so far as to argue that the flight path is dangerous because the planes fly over a well-populated area. If it is that dangerous, why continue to let flights over any populated areas?

The city is waging a disingenuous battle against the flight path and should drop its opposition. Tourism supports the entire region's economy and its effects should be shared by all.