Reno Tahoe Airport Authority unveils $1 billion expansion plan to boost air travel capacity

The Sparks City Council meeting on January 27, 2025, featured a significant presentation from Darren Griffin, President and CEO of the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority, who provided an annual update on the airport's operations and future developments. Griffin highlighted the airport's impressive recovery post-COVID, with passenger numbers nearing 5 million annually, and emphasized the economic impact of air travel on the region.

Griffin detailed ongoing construction projects, including a new ground transportation center and the expansion of the ticketing hall, aimed at improving accessibility and efficiency for travelers. He announced plans for two new concourses, which will replace the existing ones that have been in use since 1980. This ambitious project, budgeted at $650 million, is set to begin in 2026 and is crucial for accommodating the growing number of flights and passengers.

The presentation also touched on the airport's competitive air service landscape, with new year-round routes to major cities like Chicago and Austin, and ongoing efforts to secure additional destinations, including Nashville and Washington, D.C. Griffin underscored the importance of partnerships in enhancing air service and securing federal funding for airport improvements.

Overall, the meeting underscored the airport's vital role in the region's economy and its commitment to expanding services and infrastructure to meet increasing demand. The anticipated developments are expected to create jobs and further stimulate local economic growth, marking a pivotal moment for the Reno Tahoe Airport and the surrounding community.