Las Vegas airport C Concourse reopen for Southwest

C Concourse renovations coming to Las Vegas • McCarran International Airport Second phase of ramp reconstruction brings gate closures and reopenings, and marks start of interior improvements to the longtime home of Southwest Airlines
Following the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Gates C-1 through C-7 on the east side of the C Concourse reopen for the first time since July 2010.

“As the primary home of our busiest carrier, Southwest, the C gates have done a remarkable job serving the needs of millions of Las Vegas visitors and residents. Even the best facilities wear down over time, and these exterior ramp repairs make this a perfect opportunity to make interior improvements that will better serve the needs of our customers.” Seven other gates, numbered C-8 through C-18, will then be taken offline to allow for the installation of concrete along the concourse’s southwestern tip as part of phase two.

With so many passengers at C during peak periods, the addition of more concessions at C has become a common request from travelers surveyed at McCarran. The remodel will remove one existing aircraft gate and convert its space to a new restaurant and retail store.

A third phase will completely replace the asphalt along the northwestern portion of C beginning in autumn 2011. Until this concludes, many Southwest Airlines flights will depart from the B Concourse; travelers should still check if their flight is from a B or C gate. Because this ramp reconstruction requires temporary gate closures, the Department of Aviation will take advantage of the down time by concurrently scheduling interior renovations to portions of the C Concourse.

The initial phase of this work will begin Tuesday, May 31, with construction occurring during evening hours to limit interruptions to travelers who will continue to use the operating gating areas nearby. The $13 million interior renovation will give a fresh appearance to the C Concourse, which regularly handles more than 10 million passengers per year. Forthcoming changes will include new ceiling panels and lighting; more energy efficient window tinting, heating and air conditioning systems; revised directional signage; new carpeting and wall panels; refurbished jet bridges; as well as upgraded restroom fixtures. In addition, the renovation will also eliminate one gating area and its hold room in favor of a new Asian restaurant concept and an adjacent retail store. These interior improvements will be completed by the end of 2012. At its peak the C ramp rehabilitation project will support up to 60 full-time construction workers, while the interior contract is projected to support another 45 to 60 local workers. Both projects were funded through airport revenue, not local tax dollars, as well as a $15.7 million FAA grant put toward with the ramp repair work