Busy travel day much like any other day at McCarran, official says

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Published Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010 | 11:50 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010 | 4:28 p.m.

It's one of the busiest travel days of the year, but no problems or delays were being reported today at McCarran International Airport.

McCarran spokesman Chris Jones said airport operations were running smoothly with no more delays than usual.

He said more employees are working through the holiday with hopes of getting passengers through the airport without delays. Jones said late this morning that the airport seemed emptier than a normal travel day and expected it would be busier in the afternoon.

But so far there have been no problems, he said.

“It’s been absolutely normal all day,” Jones said late this afternoon. “It’s still going very smoothly. There’s no signs of long lines.”

The airport expects more than 110,000 passengers each day today, Sunday and Monday. Officials expect the airport’s long-term and valet parking lots will fill soon.

“There’s still a lot of spaces left, but getting closer to full,” Jones said.

Parking should be available at the economy lot on Paradise Road near Tropicana and at the Remote Lot on Gilespie Street near Warm Springs Road. But travelers using those lots should plan to arrive an extra half-hour early for the shuttle ride to the terminal.

Travelers can call McCarran’s parking office at 261-5122 for the most up-to-date parking information.

Free parking also will be available at the Regional Transportation Commission’s South Strip Transfer Terminal, 6675 Gilespie St., near Sunset Road and Las Vegas Boulevard. Passengers can take Route 109 to the airport from the bus terminal.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority expects 270,000 visitors to the region this week, a 3.4 percent increase from last year.