Passenger carrying capacity among airline routes to and from Las Vegas grew by 1.4 million during the 2016 fiscal year, Ailevon Pacific Consulting reported to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).
Most growth occurred among domestic routes, but an increased focus on international carriers should boost international visitation and help local Asian-themed resorts that are about to open or are under construction in Las Vegas.
Each day, an average 73,320 passengers arrived and departed via McCarran during the fiscal year, which represents a 0.5 percent increase from the 2015 fiscal year, Ailevon reported.
That daily average is 6.3 percent less than the airport’s best year of an average 78,267 passing through the gates each day in 2007.
The greatest amount of passenger growth occurred via discount domestic airlines, such as Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit.
Allegiant and Frontier each added nine new domestic routes to Las Vegas, while Spirit added two. Virgin America, Southwest, and Delta each added one domestic route to Las Vegas.
Internationally, McCarran is looking to add more routes among international carriers with larger aircraft, and is doubling its international gates to 14.
McCarran handled 45.4 million passengers last year, making it the nation’s ninth-busiest, based on passenger volume.
Increased international flights and passenger capacity among aircraft could help the Lucky Dragon Las Vegas to become a success when it opens later this year.
The 27,500-square-foot casino will have a 203-room hotel, a Chinese-themed décor, a feng shui-compliant interior, and specifically targets Chinese visitors.
Red, a color considered lucky in Chinese culture, will be featured prominently, as will baccarat table games, which is very popular among Chinese gamblers. The casino also will have pai gow, blackjack, and craps, but baccarat will outnumber them.
The Lucky Dragon also intends to seek licensing to operate private betting salons, which are popular among Chinese high-rollers.
Genting Group also is developing an Asian-themed resort and casino called Resorts World Las Vegas and expected to open in late 2018 or early 2019.
Increased international flights to and from China and other Asian destinations will help to fill its more than 3,000 hotel rooms.
While those two Asian-theme resorts are well underway, another Asian-themed project in Las Vegas, the Tokyo Casino, is stalled.
The proposed Japanese-themed casino would be located in the former New Town Tavern and casino at the intersection of F Street and Jackson Avenue in West Downtown Las Vegas.
Project financing problems, though, have state gaming regulators wary and caused the Nevada Gaming Control Board to delay any action on the project’s licensing.
Steve Hayashi owns the site and ultimately wants to build a 400-room hotel and complementary developments, including a 2,000-seat arena and gondola connecting the property to the downtown area.
First, though, he wants to open a modest casino with 100 slots and limited operating hours.
That won’t happen without regulatory approval, and the Gaming Control Board is taking a closer look at the project.
