McCarran spokesman: Obama visit to cause ‘minimal’ disruption

By Richard N. Velotta

Published Wednesday, March 21, 2012 | 10:29 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, March 21, 2012 | 11:26 a.m.

Air traffic and ground transportation at McCarran International Airport will be disrupted briefly Wednesday when Air Force One arrives and departs for President Obama’s short visit to Boulder City to tour a solar energy plant.

A spokesman for the airport said the president’s visit would have minimal impact on the public, but the airspace around the airport is normally closed for about 15 minutes when the president’s plane approaches the airport and takes off.

Chris Jones, a spokesman for the Clark County Aviation Department, says aircraft are issued a “ground stop” order, meaning they are forbidden from taking off during the time that Obama’s plane arrives and departs.

The president’s plane is scheduled to arrive shortly before noon and depart just before 3 p.m.

This morning, Southwest Airlines, the busiest carrier at McCarran, wasn’t showing any flight delays and Jones noted that airlines can often make up time in the air in their trips. Passengers leaving on flights around noon or 3 p.m. should contact their airlines for updates.

In previous Obama visits, air tour operators have complained about losing business because of airspace disruptions.

Jones also said there could be some traffic disruptions on the streets around the airport when the president’s motorcade moves to Boulder City. While the president’s security team has not disclosed his route, the airport tunnel linking McCarran with Interstate 215 is typically closed when Air Force One arrives and takes off.

Loy Hixson, a spokesman for the Nevada Highway Patrol, said motorists could expect 10 to 15-minute rolling closures on the motorcade route between the airport and the Copper Mountain Solar One facility in Boulder City. He didn’t disclose the route, but the most direct access would be along Interstate 215 east of the airport and U.S. 95 south toward Boulder City.