Las Vegas Monorail’s Airport Extension Dies After Decades of Struggles
Plans to extend the Las Vegas Monorail to the airport have failed after years of debate. The project faced repeated setbacks, including financial troubles and opposition from key officials. Despite multiple attempts, the extension was never built.
The monorail first opened in 2004, connecting major casinos and the Las Vegas Convention Center. Its business relied on tourist fares, but it never reached the airport. In 2006 and 2008, proposals to extend the line resurfaced but collapsed due to funding shortages.
Federal transit officials rejected the expansion, citing low ridership forecasts and shaky finances. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) denied financial backing, effectively killing the project. Clark County Aviation Department officials also opposed the plan, arguing the monorail lacked luggage racks for travellers.
The monorail itself struggled financially, filing for bankruptcy in 2010 and again in 2020. That same year, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority purchased the system for $24.3 million. While taxi and limousine groups resisted the extension, their opposition was not the main reason for its failure.
Without federal support or a stable funding model, the airport extension never moved forward. The monorail continues to operate on its original route, serving tourists between casinos and the convention centre. The project’s collapse leaves Las Vegas without a direct rail link to its airport.
