Las Vegas Airport Expansion: Multibillion-Dollar Overhaul Planned for Harry Reid International

Clark County officials have unveiled a multibillion-dollar overhaul for Harry Reid International Airport, aimed at replacing 1990s-era infrastructure to keep pace with Las Vegas’ booming sports and mega-event travel.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Clark County Aviation Director James Chrisley told the Clark County Commission that much of the facility was built for the passenger volumes and aircraft of the 1990s and early 2000s. He noted that Las Vegas’ evolution into a global sports and mega‑event hub requires infrastructure capable of supporting current demand and future traffic growth.

Aviation planners outlined an extensive list of upgrades designed to serve as a bridge to a two-airport system, with a proposed commercial airport in the Ivanpah Valley still at least a decade away.

While a finalized budget and complete project timeline have not yet been released, county officials expect to announce formal cost estimates next year.

Gates to a New Era

Reid, now the nation’s eighth-busiest airport, plans to increase its Terminal 1 gate count from 39 to roughly 65 by constructing a new wing of approximately 11 gates near the former Terminal 2 site. Once that wing becomes operational, crews will convert the existing A and B gate “satellite” layout into a linear pier design, raising those gate counts from 23 to about 33.

A new administrative building and parking garage will follow, and Terminal 3 will be renumbered as Terminal 2.

One of the most visible passenger improvements will be a vertical circulation system at Terminal 1.

New escalators and elevators will eliminate the need for travelers to cross a busy taxi lane when moving between baggage claim and the parking garage. Reconfigured taxi and ride-share staging areas will also improve pedestrian safety while freeing up garage space—adding roughly 330 parking spots during peak travel periods.

Planners are also preparing a dedicated Customs and Border Protection facility and charter ramp on the airport’s west side to better accommodate international private aircraft tied to major events like Formula One.

In addition, the airport’s automated transit system—which has logged about 2 million miles over a decade of continuous service—will receive new vehicles by year’s end, while a new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting station breaks ground next year for a planned 2028 completion.

Concession space, restrooms, and dining options across the A and C gates will also undergo major expansions.

Phases of Execution

The modernization project will roll out in phases to allow the airport to maintain normal operations throughout construction.

Early site work is already under way, including a new 92,700‑square‑foot operational support warehouse that opened earlier this year to replace an older structure slated for demolition.

Clark County intends to pursue federal funding for a substantial portion of the project. Aviation consultant Mike Boyd told the Review‑Journal that Reid is well positioned to compete for discretionary FAA grant dollars thanks to its strong project-delivery track record and diverse mix of domestic and international carriers.