Reno-Tahoe Airport: Size, Capacity, And Future Expansion Plans

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is located about 5km from the central business district of Reno, Nevada. The airport covers an area of 1,450 acres (587 hectares) and has three runways. It is the second busiest commercial airport in Nevada, serving approximately 4.6 million passengers annually. The airport functions as a small city, employing over 2,400 people and offering various amenities, including shopping and dining options. With 11 commercial airlines and 20+ nonstop destinations, Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a significant economic hub and gateway to the Lake Tahoe region.

Reno–Tahoe International Airport's economic impact

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is located three miles southeast of downtown Reno, Nevada, United States. It is the second busiest commercial airport in the state, covering 1,450 acres of land at an elevation of 4,415 feet. The airport plays a crucial role in the region's economy, with diverse economic contributions spanning from airport operations to private aviation services, small business activity, and government agencies.

According to its latest economic impact study, the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) delivers an annual economic impact of $3.6 billion to northern Nevada. The study, conducted by Ekay Economic Consultants, Inc. (EEC) in partnership with the Center for Regional Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno, found that the economic impact of a single Boeing 737-800, the airport's most landed aircraft, contributes $129,500 to the local economy.

The RTAA's impact on the economy extends beyond just the airport's operations. It plays a supporting role in northern Nevada's tourism landscape, with air travel becoming the most common mode of transportation for tourists. Local visitor surveys estimate that over a billion dollars were injected into the local economy by visitors in 2023, highlighting the airport's pivotal role in driving tourism-related economic activities. The addition of new flight services and destinations further boosts the economy, attracting people for vacation, adventure, or business.

The airport also fosters transportation innovation, drives employment, and enhances the visitor experience. It provides access to various rental car agencies, with rental car pickup available right outside the terminal building. The airport offers a range of amenities, including a passenger lounge, Bark Parks, massage chairs, and shopping and dining options. Additionally, the airport has efficient road and rail infrastructure, accommodating a wide variety of business needs and attracting customers and suppliers from nearby California.

The airport's military use

Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a public and military airport in Washoe County, Nevada, United States. It is located three miles (4.8 km) southeast of downtown Reno. The airport covers 1,450 acres (590 hectares; 2.27 square miles; 5.9 square kilometers) at an elevation of 4,415 feet (1.346 km).

The airport is host to the Reno Air National Guard Base, a 60-acre (24-hectare) complex established on the west side of the airport in 1954. The base is home to the 152nd Airlift Wing, a Nevada Air National Guard unit equipped with C-130H Hercules aircraft. The Nevada Air National Guard has a presence southwest of the airport's main terminal.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport provides two concourses, B and C, with 23 jet bridge gates. The airport offers access to nine rental car agencies, with pickup available outside the terminal. The rental car counters are located in the baggage claim area.

Reno-Stead Airport (RTS), also in Nevada, has been home to military operations since 1966. It was originally established as the Reno Army Air Base by the Army Air Corps in 1942. From 1954 to 1964, the air base served as a training centre for various military personnel, including Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, and foreign officers. The base provided classroom instruction on basic survival, evasion, and escape tactics, and the field training involved navigating the challenging mountainous terrain surrounding Stead. In 1963, the air base was scheduled for closure, but it transitioned to become Reno-Stead Airport in 1966.

The airport's location and surroundings

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is located about 5km from the central business district of Reno, Nevada. It is 3 miles or 4.8 km southeast of downtown Reno, in Washoe County. The airport is owned and operated by the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA), which runs it as a business. The RTAA is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees appointed by the City of Reno, City of Sparks, Washoe County, and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA). The airport is also home to the Reno Air National Guard Base, a 60-acre complex established in 1954 on the west side of the airport.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the second busiest commercial airport in Nevada, after Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. It serves the entire Reno metropolitan area, western Nevada, and some parts of eastern California. It is the closest commercial airport to the Lake Tahoe ski resort, located just minutes from downtown Reno and less than an hour from some of the world's finest ski resorts and outdoor recreation areas. The airport functions as a gateway to Lake Tahoe and the surrounding region, with 11 commercial airlines, 3 cargo carriers, and 20+ nonstop destinations.

The airport covers an area of 1,450 acres (587-590 hectares or 2.27 square miles or 5.9 square kilometres) at an elevation of 4,415 feet (1.346 km). It has three concrete runways: 17R/35L, which is 11,001 by 150 feet (3,353 by 46 metres); 17L/35R, which is 9,000 by 150 feet (2,743 by 46 metres); and 8/26, which is 6,102 by 150 feet (1,860 by 46 metres). In the year ending June 30, 2019, the airport handled 104,239 aircraft operations, with an average of 285 per day. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems categorises it as a primary commercial service airport, with more than 10,000 enplanements per year.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport has undergone several expansion and renovation projects over the years. In 2008, a $70 million project was undertaken to enhance baggage screening equipment and remodel the ticketing area with a modern Tahoe theme. A $60 million expansion project, with $12 million from the TSA, included a larger lobby, a new baggage system, a new tower, and a Hyatt hotel. A new terminal building is also planned for the future.

Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority

The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) is a publicly-owned entity that owns and operates both the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS). Established by the Nevada State Legislature on July 1, 1977, the RTAA is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees appointed by the City of Reno, the City of Sparks, Washoe County, and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA).

The RTAA plays a crucial role in the region's economic development and connectivity. Reno-Tahoe International Airport, located about 5km from the central business district of Reno, Nevada, is the state's second busiest commercial airport, serving approximately 4.6 million passengers annually. It covers an area of 1,450 acres and has three operational runways. The airport is an essential gateway to the Lake Tahoe resort area and serves the Reno metropolitan area, western Nevada, and parts of eastern California.

Reno-Stead Airport, located about 15 miles north of Reno, is a 5,000-acre general aviation facility and one of the major economic hubs in northern Nevada. It has been the site of the National Championship Air Races, military operations, and the birthplace of the Lear Fan, a revolutionary airplane design.

The RTAA has undertaken significant expansion and improvement projects at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, including enhancing baggage screening equipment, remodelling with a Tahoe theme, and constructing a new control tower and hotel. These projects aim to improve the travel experience and promote the region's economic growth.

The Reno-Tahoe Aviation Group (RTAG), a membership-based organisation of pilots and aviation enthusiasts, closely collaborates with the RTAA to support the thriving General Aviation (GA) community in the region. With over 2,400 employees across various companies, Reno-Tahoe International Airport functions like a small city, connecting the region to the world.

The airport's history

Reno–Tahoe International Airport (IATA: RNO, ICAO: KRNO, FAA LID: RNO) is a public and military airport in Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The airport was built in 1929 by Boeing Transport Inc. and was initially named Hubbard Field, after Boeing Air Transport VP and aviation pioneer Eddie Hubbard. In 1936, United Airlines acquired the airport, and in 1953, it was purchased by the City of Reno.

Before the 1920s, there were no commercial airports in Nevada, but construction began on an airfield for aviators in a field just south of Reno. This airfield, known as Blanch Field, was approximately two miles south of downtown Reno, and its runways ran from east to west due to critical downwind. The first purpose-built airport in Reno, Hubbard Field, was constructed in 1929.

In the early 1950s, the airport was purchased by the City of Reno. In 1954, the Reno Air National Guard Base, a 60-acre complex, was established on the west side of the airport. The base became home to the 152nd Airlift Wing of the Nevada Air National Guard.

In 1960, a new terminal building was completed in time for the Winter Olympics held in nearby Squaw Valley, California. This expansion significantly increased the airport's capacity. The present ticketing lobby and concourses were built in 1979, further enhancing the airport's facilities.

In 1994, the airport received its current name, honouring both the city of Reno and the nearby tourist destination of Lake Tahoe. The terminal was also named after retired Air Force Reserve Major General and former US Senator Howard Cannon. The airport has continued to improve its passenger services and amenities, ensuring a more comfortable and efficient travel experience for its customers.

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