McCarran may be running out of capacity. But how to solve the capacity issue has not been adequately evaluated.

First, it is not just the capacity of McCarran itself, but the capacity of our airspace to handle aircraft traffic. It is also the issue of the capacity of I-15 to handle traffic between California and Las Vegas. A solution to the capacity issue is not simply building another airport.

Second,with capacity and the cost of energy being limitations, priority aircraft traffic should be reserved for long haul traffic (New York to Las Vegas), NOT short haul traffic (Los Angeles to Las Vegas). Eliminating short haul traffic will "add" capacity to McCarran.

Third, If you eliminate short haul traffic to McCarran a substitute means of getting to Las Vegas would be needed. The substitute means being high-speed rail. Additionally, this will address capacity issues with I-15. In theory, high-speed rail may get people and freight to Las Vegas just as quick as aircraft.

Fourth, the establishment of the Ivanpah airport will actually DETRACT from the Las Vegas experience. A first glance a brand new shiny airport may add to the glitz of Las Vegas. Over the long term airports are development magnets, which means that casinos and businesses will locate by the airport. Eventually people may stay at the airport and stop coming to Las Vegas.

Fifth, downtown Las Vegas is still looks depressed. Building a new airport on a remote undeveloped site will NOT solve this problem. A potential solution exists in the form of high speed rail, which can bring people directly into downtown Las Vegas.