The FAA said it will prepare an environmental impact statement for a proposed second commercial airport to serve the Las Vegas region.
The Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport (SNSA), to be located 30 miles south of Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran) in the Ivanpah Valley, "has been in various initial planning stages for more than two decades. The notice of intent to prepare the environmental impact statement is "a major milestone in our region's aviation future," said Rosemary Vassiliadis, the Clark County director of aviation.
"This important step brings us closer to addressing the increasing demand for air travel in one of the nation's fastest-growing regions," Vassiliadis said. "As a second commercial airport, SNSA will add much-needed capacity, improve service reliability, and ensure Southern Nevada continues to thrive as a global destination for business and tourism."
Harry Reid Airport, planning an expansion and many improvements, will remain the system's flagship. The supplemental airport could open as soon as 2037.
The FAA and Bureau of Land Management will hold three public meetings, two in-person and one virtual, July 29-31. The meetings will allow the public to speak with representatives of both agencies. Those interested in participating can register online.