Reno airport credits region’s growth for busiest summer in 2 decades

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is flying high from the region’s growth as it posted its busiest summer in two decades.

The Reno airport saw a 10% overall increase in passenger traffic for this year’s summer season compared to last year, according to the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. The month of June saw an especially significant increase in the number of passengers:

• June: 12%
• July: 8%
• August: 9%

Reno-Tahoe International Airport is now on track to serve 4.8 million passengers by the end of 2024 — an increase from last year’s 4.6 million passengers.

The increase in passenger traffic “is a testament to the region’s growth and increasing appeal as a destination for both business and leisure travelers,” said Tina Iftiger, chief air service development officer for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority.

“Our team is working closely with airline partners to ensure that we meet this demand and continue delivering the best possible options for our passengers.”

One factor was an increase of 90,000 seats worth of capacity from airlines serving the Reno airport, including new and returning routes.

The increased capacity continues this fall, with Reno-Tahoe International Airport having 9% more seats compared to 2023. Alaska Airlines will start new service between Reno and Los Angeles on Oct. 1. Alaska Airlines will also kick off new service from Reno to San Diego on Dec. 19.

Next year will also see more new routes at the Reno airport. New routes include nonstop service from Reno to Austin starting in March from Southwest Airlines.

The airport is in the midst of a major billion-dollar expansion effort called MoreRNO . The project will include new concourses and a new consolidated rental car facility .

As part of the project, Reno-Tahoe International Airport sold $238.3 million in bonds in August and opened its expanded ticketing hall earlier this year in March.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Reno airport credits region’s growth for busiest summer in 2 decades