Spirit that helps to increase competition on McCarran

Sam Morris/file photo "a control tower at McCarran International Airport is silhouetted against a sunset that one aircraft takes off.

A discount carrier which focuses leisure travelers and call themselves "distinguished leaders in the industry" soon becomes a competitive force at McCarran International Airport.

Miramar, Fla.-based Spirit Airlines nearly doubling their fleet. Its recently announced routes from Las Vegas to San Diego, Oakland, California; and Portland, ore., will make the spirit of the second largest destination McCarran behind his primary hubs, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"When it first came here in 2002, the spirit had a couple of daily flights to Detroit and Fort Lauderdale," said Clark County Aviation Director Randall Walker. "But in September, 21 flights per day to eight cities. We are glad to have it. "

Announced this week of two daily flights to Portland begins Sept. 22 and two a day to San Diego begins Sept. 7 with third added 22 Sept.. That came on the heels of the announcement of the two daily round trips to Oakland beginning 18 Aug., expand to 3 Sept. 7.

Spirit had routes to Los Angeles International, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit and Fort Lauderdale.

The main part of the airline's routes are in the Caribbean, Florida, East Coast and Mexico, and Central and South America. Recently, spirit moved west when it begins taking delivery of 33 new Airbus jets go with 35 in his fleet.

Michael Pewther, senior sales Director of spirit, said the airline has one of the youngest fleets in the industry and uses twin-A319 (145 seats), A320s (178 seats) and A321s (218 points).

This has created a buzz by offering $ 9 introductory fares. Shall be eligible for the low fares have customers become members of spirit's $ 9 fare Club, which cost $ 60 per year to join. Members are notified of discounted fares, some as low as a penny.

Pewther admitted that the spirit has taken some heat for certain aspects of its aggressive distinction strategy, which includes contributions to check bags, fees for snacks and drinks, and an industry first, a carry on bag fee.

Bag fees range from $ 18 to $ 9 fare Club members who purchase online for the first bag up to $ 100 for the olive-growing buying at the airport for the third through fifth bags checked.

Controversial carry-on fees range between $ 20 online for $ 9 fare Club members and $ 45 at the gate. Passengers can take a free — a wallet, small backpack or Briefcase that can fit under a seat. But anything over 16-by-14-by-12 inch may be assessed a fee.

Pewther said the charge carry-on has done boarding a lot faster and easier for passengers because most people will check the suitcases to avoid costs to carry on and there are less junk in the cabin.

"We were looking for new places to fly, and Las Vegas is perfect for us as a leisure destination," Pewther said. "We are very bullish on Las Vegas and hopefully we can keep it going as we have had here."

Pewther said he did not consider the spirit to be a competitor to Southwest Airlines because their business models are so different.

Spirit's growth in Las Vegas has not been translated into many new jobs. Annette Close, The Manager of airport services in Las Vegas, said, there are four full-time employees, but the airline contracts with DAL global services, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, for ramp and gate workers.

Walker said he is very happy to have spirit's growth after several airlines have cut flights to McCarran due to the slow economy and the high cost of fuel. The airline's low-cost model is bound to spark competition, "he said.

"The big competition is that the consumer will win," said Walker. "We love Southwest, but look what happened to the ticket prices to Reno. Because there is no competition, allows an airline to dictate price. "

Pricing between Las Vegas and Reno, a popular way for legislators, government workers and Las vegans who attend UNR, has almost doubled over the past two years. A typical flight to Reno costs about $ 200.

With the new spirit has McCarran almost 500 daily one-way flights. A year ago had airport 464 flights. In June 2007, there were 572.