Public uncertainty over the conflict in the Middle East, which continues to drive up fuel costs, and the May 1 shutdown of Spirit Airlines have contributed to declines in Las Vegas visitation in three of the past six months.
But an aviation consultant that monitors visitation and seat capacity for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority on Tuesday indicated there is reason for optimism for Southern Nevada in the months ahead.
Joel Van Over of Atlanta-based Ailevon Pacific Aviation Consulting told the LVCVA board of directors that more than half of the Spirit Airlines flights that disappeared when the airline went out of business have been replaced by other airlines and recent new route announcements will add 1.1 million seats annually into Las Vegas.
