Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 | 2 a.m.
An airport in the Ivanpah Valley to handle cargo and commercial flights into Las Vegas could be ready in 10 years, Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick said Monday on "Nevada Newsmakers."
Kirkpatrick’s estimate moves up the expected development of the airport by about a decade. Airport officials have estimated in the past that Ivanpah could start taking commercial traffic in about 2040.
“I hope to see it (Ivanpah Airport) in my term,” Kirkpatrick told host Sam Shad. “And I could serve about 10 more years.”
The airport would be built along Interstate 15 between Jean and Primm, about 32 miles from Las Vegas.
Another airport is critical to the future growth of Las Vegas, city and county leaders have said. The Ivanpah airport would allow McCarran International Airport to be used strictly for passenger traffic. McCarran will soon hit 50 million passengers a year, Kirkpatrick said.
“Last year, I believe we were at 48 (million) and we continue to bring in new conventions. We are growing with our types of entertainment, our sports, so I think for sure we will be over the 50 million mark at the first of the year,” she said.
