Southwest Airlines Launches New Route to Las Vegas – Will It Revive the “Empty Airport” Amid Canadian Boycott and Declining Tourism

Published on December 25, 2025

In a bold move to tackle the ongoing struggles in Las Vegas’ tourism sector, Southwest Airlines has announced the launch of a new route set for the summer of 2026, connecting Hawaii to the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. This comes as the city continues to battle a sharp decline in international tourism, particularly from Canada, amid a prolonged boycott. But will this new route help revitalize the city’s tourist numbers and fill the so-called “empty airport”?

Las Vegas Tourism: A Struggling Industry Amid Global Shifts

Las Vegas, long a vibrant hub for international tourists, has faced severe challenges this year. The city has seen a decline in international tourism, a trend especially noticeable among Canadian travelers. The drop in visitors is partly attributed to political tensions between the U.S. and Canada, which were exacerbated by former President Donald Trump’s remarks in 2019, referring to Canada as a potential “51st U.S. state.” In response, Canadian tourists began boycotting U.S. destinations, including Las Vegas, leading to empty airports and vacant hotel rooms.

A video that surfaced in September 2025 captured the stark reality of this downturn. Tourists filmed Harry Reid International Airport, showcasing a near-deserted terminal. With fewer international flights arriving, businesses in Las Vegas, from hotels to casinos, have struggled to recover from the economic fallout of these reduced travel numbers.

Southwest Airlines New Route: Can It Help Las Vegas Recover?

Southwest Airlines is hoping to change the narrative with its new route connecting Hawaii to Las Vegas starting in 2026. The airline’s entry into the route market follows recent announcements by other carriers like Air Canada and Delta Airlines, which have expanded their routes into Latin America and the Caribbean. Southwest’s plan to connect Hawaii with Las Vegas represents a significant effort to bolster tourism numbers for the Nevada city, which has been severely impacted by the reduced Canadian travel market.

This new flight, set to launch in the summer of 2026, aims to tap into the robust tourism demand from Hawaii—a region known for its strong outbound travel market. But with Las Vegas tourism still recovering from its challenges, questions remain about how effective this route will be in restoring the city’s tourism industry.

An optimistic outlook suggests that Hawaii visitors, who are often frequent travelers, may choose to make Las Vegas a stopover during their trip, contributing to both international tourism and domestic travel. However, experts warn that until the Canadian market returns, Las Vegas may still face significant hurdles in reaching its pre-pandemic tourism levels.

Will Canada’s Travel Boycott Continue to Impact the U.S.?

Despite the hopes pinned on new routes and expanded flight offerings, the Canadian tourism boycott remains a significant barrier. With travel restrictions and political tensions continuing to shape Canadian travel to the U.S., Las Vegas has found itself in a precarious position. Airlines and tourism boards in the U.S. are bracing for continued slowdowns in visitor numbers from this key international market.

The Canadian boycott started in 2019 and was exacerbated by the U.S. administration’s policies at the time. While some signs of recovery have been noted, the lingering effects are still being felt, especially in Las Vegas, a city that relies heavily on international tourism. Canadians, who traditionally make up a large portion of the city’s visitors, have been avoiding U.S. destinations, and Las Vegas tourism has not been immune to this trend.

Can Las Vegas Bounce Back?

While the addition of Southwest Airlines’ new route is certainly a positive step for Las Vegas, experts say the city’s recovery will depend on a broader tourism strategy that includes both international and domestic travelers. To truly rebound, Las Vegas must overcome the challenges posed by the Canadian boycott and find new ways to attract international visitors. This includes working with international carriers to increase direct flights, while also appealing to a growing domestic market interested in short weekend getaways.

The city’s entertainment industry, including world-class shows, casinos, and fine dining, is a major draw for domestic and international tourists alike. While Hawaii travelers may be tempted by new direct flights, long-term recovery will rely on a return of global tourism. The Canadian boycott is just one hurdle in what has become a complex recovery process for Las Vegas tourism.

The Road Ahead for Las Vegas

In conclusion, Southwest Airlines’ new route to Las Vegas may provide a much-needed boost to the city’s struggling tourism sector, but it is not a silver bullet. The larger question remains: will Las Vegas tourism return to pre-pandemic levels? For now, this new route is a step in the right direction, but continued efforts to overcome the Canadian boycott and restore global tourism are essential for a complete recovery.

As Las Vegas and Southwest Airlines embark on this journey together, the question on everyone’s mind is whether this route will help the city reclaim its spot as the entertainment capital of the world or if further steps will be needed to attract the visitors who once flocked to this iconic destination.