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ARRIVING SOON: FAA changes aircraft navigation maps to Harry Reid International Airport

McCarran Airport scrubbed to reflect the name change
Aircraft aviation maps read Harry Reid International Airport to reflect a name change passed by the Clark County Commission in Feb. 2021. The maps are effective June 2021
McCarran International Airport services Southern Nevada and was the ninth busiest by passenger volume in the United States as of 2019.
McCarran International Airport services Southern Nevada and was the ninth busiest by passenger volume in the United States as of 2019.
McCarran International Airport services Southern Nevada and was the ninth busiest by passenger volume in the United States as of 2019.
McCarran International Airport services Southern Nevada and was the ninth busiest by passenger volume in the United States as of 2019.
McCarran International Airport services Southern Nevada and was the ninth busiest by passenger volume in the United States as of 2019.
McCarran International Airport services Southern Nevada and was the ninth busiest by passenger volume in the United States as of 2019.
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
McCarran International Airport is located in Las Vegas and has been named as such since the 1940s
Aircraft aviation maps read Harry Reid International Airport to reflect a name change passed by the Clark County Commission in Feb. 2021. The maps are effective June 2021
Aircraft aviation maps read Harry Reid International Airport to reflect a name change passed by the Clark County Commission in Feb. 2021. The maps are effective June 2021
Aircraft aviation maps read Harry Reid International Airport to reflect a name change passed by the Clark County Commission in Feb. 2021. The maps are effective June 2021
Posted at 6:45 PM, Jun 15, 2021
and last updated 2021-06-16 11:10:05-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Federal Aviation Administration appears to be working on administrative tasks in order to reflect the name change of the largest airport in Las Vegas to Harry Reid International Airport.

New aircraft navigation maps, the visual flight rules terminal area chart, or VFR Las Vegas TAC, show Harry Reid International Airport instead of McCarran International Airport.

The maps help pilots navigate heavily regulated airspace above Las Vegas and surrounding areas.

The name change was first noticed on Twitter by a popular Las Vegas account.

The new maps show they are effective starting June 17, 2021.

“This is an honor of a great statesman for my adopted father and I’m proud to be his adopted son," said businessman Stephen J. Cloobeck, the founder of Diamond Resorts International.

“This was a blessing to be involved, this is a man who deserves this great honor while he’s alive and we’re very, very excited," added Cloobeck.

In February, the FAA told 13 Action News the agency does not approve airport name changes but would need to complete some administrative tasks before officially recognizing any name change.

RELATED: What happens next? Renaming Las Vegas' McCarran Airport

The tasks include making the name change to properly track federal grant agreements, revising the Airport Master Record and air traffic control maps.

There are still questions about the timing and money to pay for the overall name change of the Las Vegas Airport.

“The numbers are coming together nicely as to what it will cost, not to be disclosed just yet, but obtainable," said Cloobeck.

RELATED: Diamond Resorts Intl. founder pledges $1M from foundation to help Las Vegas airport rebranding

"My first gift of $1 million is still valid to jump-start this campaign," added Cloobeck.

Cost estimates to cover new signage, designs, and other items to reflect the name change have been previously anywhere between $2-5 million.

“No tax dollars should be used for this, it will all be done through private donations and that vehicle is already been set up through the county,“ added Cloobeck.

13 Action News has reached out to Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom about the timing and progress of the name change, but we have not heard back as of Tuesday evening.

“I have seen some first renderings of what the airport will look like with its rebranding and boy it is going to be representative of a beautiful world-class city,“ said Cloobeck.

On Tuesday, Commissioner Segerbloom Tweeted his approval of the name change.

The Clark County Commission decided unanimously earlier this year to remove the McCarran name and legacy from the airport and instead rename it in honor of former Sen. Harry Reid.

Wednesday, a spokesperson for Clark County says the FAA has provided no formal notification on its finding of the proposed name change and that it is important to note that the cost of any name change must be borne by private donations, as stipulated by the Clark County Commission.

The spokesperson also said the estimated preliminary costs of such a change total $7.2 million with reports of donations to be provided to the county commission quarterly starting on July 20.

The airport was named in honor of former Sen. Patrick McCarran, who represented Nevada between 1933 and 1954. Some say he supported racist, anti-immigrant and anti-semitic policies, but he was also a massive supporter of aviation.

This has drawn fierce reaction -- both for and against -- the idea.