LAS VEGAS (AP) - Some airline officials are questioning whether the Las Vegas airport is expanding too quickly, as struggling airlines cut flights to the destination that is running short on tourists.

Linda Macey, properties manager for Southwest Airlines, says there is "clearly not a current need for increased capacity."

But county officials, airport officials and others believe McCarran International Airport should continue to expand so it can handle more passengers.

A $2.4 billion new international terminal is expected to open in 2012, giving the airport enough infrastructure to support 53 million passengers each year.

Traffic is down 4.8 percent in 2008 from 2007 as tourist avoid Las Vegas during tough economic times.

Airlines project that next year, there will be 12 percent to 15 percent fewer seats available on Las Vegas flights.
---
Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-10-12-08 1507EDT