Question 1

What is the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport (SNSA)?

Accepted Answer

The SNSA is being proposed as a new commercial and cargo service airport to supplement Harry Reid International Airport (Harry Reid), which will be constructed and operated by the Clark County Department of Aviation (CCDOA). SNSA would be constructed on a 6,000-acre site located in the Ivanpah Valley, south of Jean, Nevada and north of Primm, Nevada along the east side of Interstate-15 (I-15) and approximately 30 miles south of Harry Reid. An additional 17,000 acres would be acquired by CCDOA for airport compatibility purposes.

Question 2

Why is a new airport needed?

Accepted Answer

Harry Reid is nearing capacity; therefore, it is necessary to continue the planning for SNSA to ensure there is adequate airport capacity in the Las Vegas metropolitan area to accommodate anticipated commercial aviation demand.

Question 3

Will the SNSA replace Harry Reid?

Accepted Answer

No, the new airport will supplement Harry Reid, which will continue to operate. The
CCDOA will continue to fully maximize the facilities and investments at Harry Reid while providing a high level of service for its passengers

Question 4

When will the new airport be built?

Accepted Answer

Estimated planning timelines indicate the airport could be open as early as 2037, contingent on the EIS resulting in a favorable record of decision.

Question 5

What could the construction of this airport mean for the surrounding environment?

Accepted Answer

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will, among other things, state the reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts of the proposed agency actions and identify means to mitigate adverse environmental effects is currently still in development.

Question 6

How might the area around the airport be further developed?

Accepted Answer

Senate Bill 19 from 2023 allows Clark County to utilize the area surrounding the site for an unincorporated town designed to control development and ensure its compliance with the proposed airport’s noise compatibility requirements.

Question 7

What is the status of the project?

Accepted Answer

Acting in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 by issuing a Notice of Cancellation and a Notice of Intent to develop an EIS and Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). Three public scoping meetings will be held to allow the public to express their concerns with the project. More information on the meetings and how to register can be found here.

Question 8

What will be done to make access from the airport to Las Vegas more efficient, considering they would be 30 miles apart?

Accepted Answer

All options for future public transit to and from the SNSA are currently still being considered with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), and other partner agencies. The proposed project includes improvements made to highway interchanges and Las Vegas Boulevard for more convenient access to the airport.

Question 9

Why would the funds going towards the SNSA Planning not be better spent on Harry Reid projects?

Accepted Answer

Studies conducted over the last 20 years have consistently concluded that Harry Reid cannot be expanded to accommodate long-term demand for commercial service to the Las Vegas metropolitan area and a new, supplemental airport is required.

Discontinuing the planning for SNSA would preclude options for increased air service to the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which could lead to economic constraints to the region. Once Harry Reid reaches capacity, aviation growth will be constrained unless there is another airport available to offer supplemental capacity.

The CCDOA has continued and will continue to maintain and update facilities at Harry Reid as needed to provide the best service for airport customers.

Question 10

Will the FAA move forward with an EIS if air travel declines again, due to another outbreak of COVID-19 or another pandemic?

Accepted Answer

The need for the project is not predicated on short-term demand nor is it affected by
short-term fluctuations in demand; rather it is based on the long-term needs of the Las
Vegas metropolitan area. Updating the planning, completing the EIS, preparing the
airport design, and constructing the project will take many years, thus, it is necessary to
continue planning now to have the additional capacity in place when aviation activity at
Harry Reid reaches levels that cause a decline in passenger experience and satisfaction.

Question 11

What will the name of the new airport be?

Accepted Answer

At this time, CCDOA has not selected a name for the new airport.

Question 12

Who will use the airport? Is it for passengers? Is it for cargo?

Accepted Answer

The new airport would accommodate both passengers and cargo.

Question 13

I’m an off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiast and I regularly use that area for off road vehicle activities. Will I still have access?

Accepted Answer

Portions of the proposed airport site will be restricted to OHV uses but other portions
may remain accessible. Potential impacts to OHV use will be evaluated and disclosed in
the EIS.

Question 14

How will the Airport site be served by utilities?

Accepted Answer

The SNSA Planning team is working with local utility companies and agencies to
establish plans for extending the necessary utilities to the SNSA site.

Question 15

What type of air services will be offered at SNSA?

Accepted Answer

SNSA is planned to accommodate all types of commercial air services, including passenger and cargo flights.
SNSA is also planned to accommodate some types of general aviation air services, however, the specific types have not been determined at this time.

Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport