Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas witnessed a notable drop in passenger numbers this August, indicating approximately 280,000 fewer flyers compared to the same period in 2024.
This 5.8% decline year-over-year contributes to a broader trend of reduced traffic for 2025, with a reported 1.7 million fewer passengers navigating the airport through August, marking a 4.5% decrease from last year.
Airlines Are Making Adjustments
Spirit Airlines experienced the steepest decline among U.S. carriers. According to airport data, the airline transported 409,886 passengers this August, nearly half of last year’s figures, translating to a 46.3% reduction.
For the first eight months of 2025, Spirit reported a 32% drop in traffic, totaling 3.6 million passengers. The airline, which is currently under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, announced plans to furlough 1,800 flight attendants as part of its reorganization efforts, as stated by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Avelo Airlines has also exited the Las Vegas market ahead of its planned schedule. Originally intended to conclude its West Coast routes by December, the Houston-based airline expedited its efforts to refocus on its East Coast services, reporting a 48.9% drop in passenger numbers in Las Vegas.
To cover the gaps left by Avelo’s departure, Breeze Airways has introduced new routes. The low-cost airline based in Utah has commenced services from Las Vegas to Redmond, Oregon, and plans to expand into routes previously covered by Avelo.
Trends in Domestic and International Air Travel
The decrease in domestic flights has heavily impacted overall passenger numbers. Travel and Tour World has noted that airlines are cutting back on various routes while reallocating aircraft to more lucrative markets, which has contributed to the downturn at Harry Reid.
International travel has also experienced a slump. Airport officials reported foreign routes served 282,793 passengers in August, a 3.7% drop from the previous year. Throughout the first eight months of 2025, international traffic totaled 2.4 million passengers, marking a 2% decline year-over-year.
Canadian airlines, which make up the largest portion of international traffic, reported weaker performance. WestJet accommodated 46,593 passengers in August, down 33.9% from last year, and Air Canada registered 31,012 passengers, reflecting a 40% decline, as reported by the Review-Journal. However, some carriers like KLM and Korean Air saw increases of 46.6% and 38.8%, respectively.
Consequences for Tourism Services
The downturn has extended its effects to ancillary tourism-related businesses. Flight statistics from the westside terminal, where scenic helicopter tours operate, indicated a 9.7% drop in passenger counts during August. Maverick Helicopters, the main operator, reported an 18.6% decline.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has recently launched a campaign to draw more visitors as the city addresses declining tourism figures. July’s visitor totals fell by 12% compared to the previous year, reflecting a trend also evident in the airport’s statistics.