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Growing Air Service, Major Construction and Regional Growth Take Center Stage at the Inaugural State of the Airport Authority Address

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RTAA board of trustees stand with RTAA president and CEO Cris Jensen in front of a stage in the Reno-Tahoe International Airport terminal

RENO, Nev. (Oct. 13, 2026) – The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) hosted its inaugural State of the Airport Authority Address Monday, Oct. 12 at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Airport leadership highlighted the organization’s role in supporting growth across the Reno-Tahoe and northern Nevada region.

RTAA Board Chair Adam Kramer opened the event, welcoming community and regional partners in attendance, including representatives from the offices of Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen, Governor Lombardo and Lieutenant Governor Anthony, as well as representatives from the Cities of Reno and Sparks, Carson City, Washoe County and other community organizations.

“It’s an exciting time for community and for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority,” Kramer said. “Reno-Tahoe International and Reno-Stead Airports are the critical transportation hubs that make the growth across our region possible.”

RTAA President and CEO Cris Jensen shared updates on air service, safety and operations, the Reno-Stead Airport, the ongoing MoreRNO Infrastructure program, financial stewardship and the RTAA workforce.

Key highlights included:

  • Passenger traffic has grown nearly 50% since 2014, with more than 5 million passengers expected in 2026.
  • The RTAA is working to maintain existing air service while pursuing additional routes, flight frequency and larger aircraft.
  • Reno-Stead Airport continues to support general aviation, military operations, drone testing, aviation businesses and wildland firefighting. In August, nearly 750 firefighting-related aircraft operations took place at Stead.
  • The $1+ billion MoreRNO Infrastructure Program is funded through federal grants, passenger facility charges, bonds and a public-private partnership. 
  • The RTAA is not funded by local or state tax dollars.
  • The RTAA is quasi-municipal entity, yet operates much like a private business and through conservative financial stewardship, and ended fiscal year 2026 on budget.
  • The RTAA employs 271 people, with approximately 2,800 additional people working for airlines, vendors, restaurants, retailers and other businesses at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

“It’s the combination of community spirit, compassion, skill and commitment that makes our workforce such a tremendous asset, and it’s one of the reasons RTAA is so well positioned for the future,” said Jensen. “Every person who flies through this airport is at the heart of our mission and our promise: to connect people to the places that matter to them.”

The State of the Airport Authority Address is expected to become an annual event, highlighting key developments from the RTAA and its ongoing service to the region.

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About the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) operates two of the most important economic drivers for our region–the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS). The RTAA is financially self-sufficient, meaning it is funded through airport operations and not state or local taxes. Ten airlines serve RNO, flying to multiple nonstop destinations throughout the United States and Mexico. For more details, visit www.renoairport.com.

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