By Joe Schoenmann (contact)

Tue, Aug 19, 2008 (5 p.m.)

Responding to ailing airlines’ requests that McCarran International Airport cut costs, the Clark County Commission today agreed to defer $348 million in capital improvement projects. Airport officials said they will ask the commission to reconsider the improvements in 2012.

A $10 million in project to install new escalator and elevator systems to circulate people through the baggage claim area was eliminated.

The most expensive deferral was $215 million to convert an asphalt runway to concrete.

Randy Walker, Clark County director of aviation, had also suggested cutting another $114.5 million, which was earmarked for a new heliport to be constructed south of Las Vegas.

But Commissioners Chris Giunchigliani and Bruce Woodbury said too much time, money and effort had gone into planning for that heliport, the basis of which came from years of noise complaints from Las Vegas residents.

To defer those plans, Woodbury said, would essentially mean the growing tour helicopter businesses would move to the Henderson Airport. That would only shift the noise problem, not eliminate it.

Walker’s recommendations came as part of his 5-year, $3.7 billion capital improvements plan.

In July, representatives from airlines that fly into McCarran asked Walker to consider not building Terminal 3, a $1.2 billion facility because capital improvements are paid for by fees paid by airlines. They also requested that the county forego construction of the heliport.