McCarran OK’d for overtime reimbursement
McCarran International Airport will participate in a reimbursement program to pay overtime expenses to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers that have been swamped with last year’s 30 percent increase in international passenger traffic.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is expected to announce Wednesday that McCarran has been selected for a program that will help process passengers arriving on international flights.
In May, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., in a letter to Homeland Security Director Jeh Johnson, supported McCarran’s application to participate in the reimbursable services program within the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The program would allow McCarran to reimburse the Customs and Border Protection agency for overtime costs.
The opening of Terminal 3 at McCarran in 2012 was a springboard for additional international flights to Las Vegas and international traffic has grown steadily.
In 2013, McCarran had the largest percentage increase of international passengers in the United States. But federal officials were unprepared for the rapid growth. Staff shortages and restricted hours resulted in a number of passenger processing delays.
Fearing an adverse response from airlines, the local tourism industry and McCarran appealed to Reid for help.
This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates.
Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow him on Twitter @RickVelotta.
