In May 2025, Harry Reid International Airport experienced a 3.9% decline in passenger traffic compared to the previous year, with arrivals and departures falling just short of 5 million, as reported by airport officials.

Although May 2024 marked one of the peak months in the airport’s history, the decrease in May 2025 has largely been linked to a slump in international travel, especially from Canada. International passenger numbers dipped by 8.7% year-over-year, reaching 303,481 travelers.

Canadian Airlines Face Significant Decreases

Among international carriers, Canadian airlines reported the steepest passenger declines. Air Canada recorded a significant drop, carrying 41,577 passengers, which is a 21.7% decrease from the prior year. WestJet followed suit with a 34.6% reduction, serving 61,219 travelers.

Officials from the airport mentioned that May’s numbers were anticipated to reflect the initial impacts of changing consumer attitudes in Canada. This sentiment appeared to stem from political events, including Trump’s controversial proposal to make Canada the 51st state and ongoing tariff discussions related to trade.

Despite the overall downward trend, some international airlines reported growth. Airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, and KLM achieved double-digit increases in passenger volume during this month.

Domestic Traffic Also Declines

Domestic travel also saw a downturn in May, falling by 3.7% year-over-year to about 4.6 million passengers. Spirit Airlines, the airport’s second-largest domestic carrier, noted a dramatic 27.3% decrease, bringing its total to 511,763 passengers. On the other hand, Southwest Airlines, the airport’s leading domestic carrier, experienced a slight uptick of 1.9%, accommodating nearly 2 million travelers.

Between January and May 2025, total passenger count at Harry Reid International Airport registered 22.9 million, marking a 3.7% decline from the same period in 2024. Domestic passengers accounted for 21 million, reflecting a 4% decrease, while international travelers saw a fractional increase of 0.2%, totaling 1.5 million over the five months.