Opened on the same day as the Pearl Harbor attack, North Las Vegas Airport has a unique history. Here at North Las Vegas Airport, you are standing on hallowed ground. This public airport is located just 3 miles northwest of downtown Las Vegas. Clark County Commission owns it. The Clark County Department of Aviation operates it.
Known as Northtown to locals, North Las Vegas Airport is Nevada’s third busiest airport. It is the second-busiest public-use airport in the Las Vegas area. McCarran International Airport can focus on airline flights because of this airport. North Las Vegas Airport handles general aviation and scenic tours. In the early 2000s, Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines provided limited regional airline service here. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and other helicopter operators frequently use this airport.
Sky Haven Airport was its original name when it opened December 7 1941. Verald “Bud” Barrett and J. M. Murphy, two of the airport’s founders enlisted in the Army Air Corps after the Pearl Harbor attack. Florence Murphy, the third co-founder, managed the airport until 1945.
In the early 1960s, the Sky Rider Motel opened during an airport expansion. Its swimming pool was shaped like an airplane. Hughes Tool Company purchased North Las Vegas Air Terminal in 1968.
North Las Vegas Airport covers 920 acres. The elevation is 2205 feet. It features three asphalt runways. Runway 7/25 measures 5005 by 75 feet. Runway 12R/30L is 5001 by 75 feet. Runway 12L/30R measures 4203 by 75 feet.
In 2019, the airport averaged 483 aircraft operations daily. That amounts to over 176000 per year. Local general aviation accounted for 59%. Transient general aviation made up 29%. Air taxi operations accounted for 11%. Commercial and military operations each accounted for less than 1%. In 2015, 536 aircraft were based here. Single-engine aircraft comprised 76%. Multi-engine aircraft made up 14%. Jets accounted for 4%. Helicopters comprised 6%. Ultralight aircraft made up less than 1%.
Several incidents have occurred at North Las Vegas Airport. On August 30 1978, Las Vegas Airlines Flight 44 crashed after takeoff. The Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain stalled and crashed, killing all ten people onboard. On January 2 2013, a twin-engine Piper Aerostar crashed after a hard landing. Both occupants escaped without injury. On July 17 2022, two single-engine aircraft collided mid-air. All four people involved died.
As you can see, North Las Vegas Airport plays a vital role in the region’s air travel. It supports general aviation and provides crucial services to the Las Vegas area. The North Las Vegas Airport continues to serve as a key aviation hub. It is constantly adapting to meet the growing needs of the Las Vegas community and beyond. From its humble beginnings to its present-day operations, the airport remains a testament to the enduring spirit of aviation in Nevada.