Reno-Tahoe International Airport is set to embark on its largest-ever redevelopment plan. The $1 billion project, known as MoreRNO, is due to begin this spring and will continue through 2028.

The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority is seeking funding from a variety of sources to support the redevelopment of the airport's Ticketing Hall, Ground Transportation Center, and concourses.

The current facilities date back to the 1970s and are in need of modernization to cope with the expected 40% increase in passenger traffic over the next 40 years. In 2019, over four million passengers passed through the airport annually for the first time.

Already this year, passenger numbers are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, with February 2022 seeing 310,000 passengers, up 1.3% compared to February 2020.

The gateway to Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada

Home to startup airline aha!, Reno-Tahoe International Airport is currently the 62nd busiest airport in the US, with more than 130 daily departures from a variety of carriers. The airport's busiest routes are to Las Vegas, Denver, and Los Angeles.

Underlining the importance of the airport and its redevelopment to the Northern Nevada region as a whole, Reno-Tahoe International Airport CEO Daren Griffin said,

“We want to deliver to the region the best first and last impression we can hope for. Doing nothing is not an option.”

Not only have passenger numbers increased significantly since the airport was built, but passenger tastes and trends have changed a lot too. To improve the passenger experience, the plans will create more space, art, and natural light, and will incorporate greater use of technology to provide touch-free experiences.

The plans in detail

The first phase of the project, set to begin this spring, is the redevelopment of the Ticketing Hall. Approximately 10,000 square feet of space will be added to the existing area, with higher ceilings and more natural light. This will allow the airport to accommodate more airlines in the future. Additional restrooms will also be built, and wayfinding will be improved with better signage.

The Ground Transportation Center will also see major upgrades, with more rental car facilities and more public parking being added. Access to the airport will be improved too, with specific areas allocated for ride-sharing services such as Uber, as well as charging points for electric vehicles. This $225 million phase of the plan is expected to begin in 2023 and last for two years.

The final phase of the project will be the redevelopment of the airport’s concourses. Since they were built, the number of passengers on each aircraft has increased, and there simply is not enough space at the departure gates. A number of options are being reviewed, ranging from expanding and remodeling the existing concourses to demolishing them and building new ones. A lot will depend on the budget available – estimates suggest that approximately $500-600 million will be needed for a complete rebuild.

A convenient airport

Despite the ambitious expansion plans, the airport wants to continue being a convenient choice for its passengers. CEO Daren Griffin stated,

“Have confidence that we will work hard to maintain the convenience RNO passengers have come to know and the amenities that make our airport special. We appreciate the support we receive from our region and want to thank everyone for their patience over the next several years as we work to bring the facilities and services our passengers deserve.”

As passenger numbers exceed pre-pandemic highs, Reno-Tahoe International Airport's MoreRNO project could not have come at a better time.

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