Harry Reid International Airport, the main gateway to Las Vegas for UK business travellers, will receive around $3.5 million in federal funding to rehabilitate pavement and plan future improvements, part of a package worth almost $30 million for airports across Nevada.

The money, secured from the Federal Aviation Administration, was announced on 9 July by Nevada’s two senators, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, both Democrats. Twelve airports across the state will share the funding, which covers pavement and utility work, taxiway modernisation, weather monitoring equipment and new buildings. For the thousands of UK delegates who fly into Las Vegas each year for trade shows and conventions, it is a signal that the state intends to keep the infrastructure behind those trips in good order.

“Nevada’s airports are the gateway to our state – for visitors, for emergency services, and for Nevadans traveling throughout the Silver State and across America,” Cortez Masto said.

Reno-Tahoe takes the biggest share

The largest single grant, $13,695,039, goes to Reno-Tahoe International Airport to reconstruct its existing terminal, including upgrades to pavement and utilities that have reached the end of their useful lives. Nearby Reno-Stead Airport receives $5,094,412 to rebuild 24,800 square yards of its main apron, the area of an airport where aircraft are parked, loaded, refuelled and maintained.

Rosen said the funds “will help keep the infrastructure of our airports up to date, allowing them to keep up with Nevada’s demands as a top travel destination.”

The remaining grants are spread across the state’s smaller airfields:

  • $2,947,000 for Austin Airport to realign, rehabilitate and reconstruct its taxiways, and to acquire and install a new automated weather observing system
  • $1,667,000 for Tonopah Airport to reconstruct 21,000 square yards of ageing apron pavement
  • $1,092,652 for Fallon Municipal Airport to build a new 300-foot taxi-lane serving the site of future hangars and to update existing taxiways
  • $769,028 for Mesquite Airport to reconstruct 25,000 square yards of apron and rebuild a gravel road used by airport, FAA and ground service vehicles
  • $387,448 for Silver Springs Airport for a new automated weather observing system
  • $282,000 for Minden-Tahoe Airport to rehabilitate taxi-lanes that have reached the end of their useful lives
  • $187,500 for Carson City Airport to reconstruct taxiway pavement
  • $160,901 for Lincoln County Airport to build a new 1,500 square foot building for snow removal equipment
  • $126,530 for Wells Municipal Airport Harriet Field to build a new 200-foot taxi-lane serving future hangars

What it means for UK business travellers

Las Vegas hosts more major trade shows and conventions than any other American city, and Harry Reid International handles all its international traffic through Terminal 3, where British Airways and Virgin Atlantic services arrive. Virgin Atlantic’s Manchester to Las Vegas route is the only direct West Coast link from the North of England, so the airport’s condition matters well beyond London.

The senators said they have consistently worked to fund Nevada’s transport infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FAA reauthorisation legislation and annual budget bills.

“It’s critical that all the airports across Nevada continue to have world-class facilities and infrastructure,” Cortez Masto said. “Nevada’s Congressional delegation will never stop fighting to deliver for our state’s aviation infrastructure.”