RELEASE – New leadership position to focus on building, maintaining air service for the region

Longtime RTAA leader Tina Iftiger to assume new role effective Oct. 2

RENO, Nev. (Sept. 12, 2023) – The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) announced today the creation of a new executive leadership role, Chief Air Service Development Officer, to position the airport to compete with other communities across the U.S. for limited air service. Assuming this role effective Oct. 2 will be Tina Iftiger, a longtime RTAA leader who has deep experience with airline business models and extensive business and community relationships across northern Nevada.

“The number of passengers traveling through our airport has returned to – and some days exceeds – pre-pandemic levels,” said Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority CEO Daren Griffin. “This new role strengthens our leadership and focus on attracting new air service while retaining existing routes to support business and tourism in our region.”

Currently the RTAA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Iftiger joined the organization in 2009 as the Vice President of Airport Economic Development. Prior to joining RTAA, she was Director of Business Development at the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN). She will bring her significant experience to bear during this important time in the history of the airport, which has started the MoreRNO project.

“I’m excited to work with our airline partners, my airport colleagues as well as collaborate with economic development agencies, destination marketing groups, chambers of commerce and area businesses that are driving air travel demand,” said Tina Iftiger, Chief Air Service Development Officer.

Key travel and construction statistics

• Reno-Tahoe International Airport now consistently seeing passenger numbers greater than either 2022 or 2019
• July 2023: recorded the most passengers in a single month since August 2007
• MoreRNO, the largest construction project in the airport’s history, will:
  • Expand the ticketing hall
  • Improve the loop road (the road ringing the airport)
  • Create a new facility for rental cars, rideshares, taxis/cabs and public transportation while adding over 700 parking spaces
  • Deliver two new concourses with capacity for more passengers and more, larger aircraft

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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. Eleven airlines serve RNO, flying to multiple nonstop destinations throughout the United States and Mexico. For more details, visit www.renoairport.com.