Vegas Hotels, Seeing Air Capacity Cut, Offer Opportunities | btnmag.com

As air service shrinks around the United States because of the devastating effect of the high price of jet fuel on airlines' operating costs, Las Vegas is expected to feel more of a squeeze than most, particularly in the fourth quarter of 2008. That's when capacity at McCarran International Airport is predicted to decline by 14.1 percent, based on a total seat capacity of 2 million this fourth quarter, compared with about 2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, according to OAG capacity data. The only U.S. airport expected to lose more fourth-quarter seats is Orlando International Airport, where a 15.1 percent decline is anticipated. In all, McCarran will lose all service from 30 airports in North America and Europe (see chart).