Liquor (and Revenue) Could Flow at Las Vegas Airport

(MoneyWatch)  Airports make the bulk of their money on aircraft weight-based landing fees and terminal rents. So when airlines start flying smaller airplanes and flying fewer of them, airports start to look for more, um, creative ways to raise funds to run the operation. Las Vegas McCarran Airport is not immune from this problem, so they're now looking to open a liquor store in baggage claim. Only in Vegas, right? The graph below tells the tale. McCarran has been hurt significantly during this most recent downturn. US Airways has abandoned the hub that began under its predecessor America West about two decades ago. Southwest, meanwhile, has stopped its previous blistering pace of growth and is, in fact, shrinking on the whole. Sure, Allegiant is still growing, but that's not enough to replace what has been lost.

The solution? Las Vegas is proposing to open a liquor store in baggage claim so it can collect some serious revenues. When you land in Vegas (and NOT for work), what do you do? Hop in a cab and then, apparently, run straight to a liquor store to stock up for the weekend. McCarran's idea is to get in on the action and start earning some money off that demand.

What better way to wash away the pain of having your bag lost than by drinking heavily? But of course, not everyone is happy.

"Oh, I know it will be a gold mine for some liquor store, but does this mean we'll do anything for money?" said Commissioner Steve Sisolak, who promises to ask many questions about the proposal during today's County Commission meeting. "What's next? Airport strip clubs? Topless bars? Is that appropriate for county property? I mean, that's 'out-of-the-box' thinking, too."

I like the way you think, Sisolak. I mean, Amsterdam's airport was proposing a club for prostitution at one point. What's wrong with showing a little skin? Honestly, if gambling in airports is fine -- Vegas already has slot machines in its terminals -- then is a strip club really much worse? It can generate money, lower costs for airlines, and that will encourage new service to the airport more than anything else. Let's see how long it take before they get to that proposal.

Photo: Las Vegas Airport, by JasonUnbound