Reno–Tahoe International Airport

"Reno Airport" redirects here. For the other airport serving Reno, see Reno Stead Airport.

Reno–Tahoe International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic/military
Owner/OperatorReno–Tahoe Airport Authority
ServesReno, Nevada
LocationReno, Nevada
Elevation AMSL4,415 ft / 1,346 m
Coordinates39°29′57″N 119°46′05″W / 39.49917°N 119.76806°W / 39.49917; -119.76806
Websitewww.renoairport.com
Maps

FAA diagram
Interactive map of Reno–Tahoe International Airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
17R/35L 11,001 3,353 Concrete
17L/35R 9,000 2,743 Concrete
07/25 6,102 1,860 Concrete
Statistics (2025)
Passengers4,912,900
Total cargo (lbs.)83,602,552
Sources: FAA[1][2]

Reno–Tahoe International Airport (IATA: RNO, ICAO: KRNO, FAA LID: RNO) is a public and military airport three miles (4.8 km) southeast of downtown Reno, in Washoe County, Nevada, United States.[1][3] It is the state's second busiest commercial airport after Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The Nevada Air National Guard has the 152nd Airlift Wing southwest of the airport's main terminal. The airport is named after both the City of Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe.[4] The airspace of Reno-Tahoe Airport is controlled by the Northern California TRACON and Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center.[5]

History

Early years

The airport was built in 1929 by Boeing Transport Inc. and named Hubbard Field after Boeing Air Transport VP and air transport pioneer Eddie Hubbard.[6] It was acquired by United Airlines in 1936 and purchased by the City of Reno in 1953. The August 1953 OAG shows 15 scheduled departures each weekday; ten years later there were 28.

Jets (United 727s) arrived in June 1964; runway 16 (now 17R) was extended southward from 7800 to 9000 feet around that time. The airport didn't have a nonstop to Los Angeles until 1969; a nonstop to Chicago began in 1970.

The first terminal building was completed in time for the 1960 Winter Olympics held in Squaw Valley, California in 1960. The present ticketing lobby and concourses were built in 1979.[7] The airport received its current name in 1994 (which honors both the city and the nearby popular tourist destination Lake Tahoe), when the terminal was named in honor of retired Air Force Reserve Major General and former U.S. Senator Howard Cannon.[8] Prior to that the airport itself was named Cannon International Airport.

Reno–Tahoe International was the hub of Reno Air, a now-defunct airline that flew MD-80s and MD-90s to many cities until it was bought by American Airlines and later disposed of, in 2001. Reno Air's first flight was on July 1, 1992, and its last flight was August 30, 1999. On New Year's Eve of 2003, Continental Airlines completed the installation of self check-in in the continental United States at Reno International.[9]

Expansion

In 1996, the baggage claim and ticketing area were updated with technology and decor. In 2008, the airport began a $70 million project that enhanced the baggage screening equipment and remodeled the ticketing area with a modern Tahoe theme; the project was entirely completed in 2010. In March 2013, a $24 million expansion of the airport was completed and focused on a new centralized TSA Security Checkpoint on the ground level, and above it, a shopping and dining promenade called "High Mountain Marketplace". Windows in the dining areas allow views of the mountains and runways. Future projects may include updates to the concourses.[10]

International service

In February 2014, the airport announced that Volaris planned to start operating non-stop service flights to Guadalajara, Mexico sometime in 2015. Since the DOT approved the route, it is Reno's first international non-stop service since 1999. On October 7, 2014, the DOT and the airport announced that Volaris would start a twice weekly flight to Guadalajara, Mexico from Reno on December 16, 2014.[11]

In November 2014, Thomas Cook Airlines announced that it planned to introduce twice weekly, non-stop flights from London–Gatwick to Reno starting in December 2015. It would have been the first transatlantic route from Reno Airport.[12] However, Thomas Cook Airlines canceled these plans in May 2015 stating insufficient border control capacities at the airport to handle their Airbus A330.[13][14] Finally, in September 2019, Thomas Cook went into compulsory liquidation.

Future expansion and More RNO project

In April 2022, the Reno−Tahoe Airport Authority announced the More RNO project, with plans to modernize the airport. The estimated cost of the project is $1 billion, and it is expected to be completed in 2028. The project includes the ticketing hall expansion,[15] which was completed in April 2024 with a cost of $35 million. The new ticketing hall includes self-check-in kiosks and new processes to increase efficiency.[16] Additionally, there will be improved ground transportation and a concourse development.[15]

In early August 2025, construction began on the Central Utility Plant and the Police and Airport Authority Headquarters.[17]

Facilities

Overview

Reno–Tahoe International Airport covers 1,450 acres (590 hectares; 2.27 square miles; 5.9 square kilometers) at an elevation of 4,415 feet (1.346 km). In the year ending June 30, 2019, the airport had 104,239 aircraft operations, with an average of 285 per day: 46% airline, 41% general aviation, 11% air taxi, and 2% military. At that time, 161 aircraft were based here: 104 single-engine, 19 multi-engine, 23 jet, 9 military, and 6 helicopter.[1][18] The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems categorized it as a primary commercial service airport (more than 10,000 enplanements per year).[19]

It has three concrete runways: 17R/35L is 11,001 by 150 feet (3,353 by 46 m); 17L/35R is 9,000 by 150 feet (2,743 by 46 m); 8/26 is 6,102 by 150 feet (1,860 by 46 m).[20][1] During September through November 2010, the airport opened a new 200-foot (61 m) ATCT to replace the 70-foot (21 m) control tower that had been used for more than 50 years. It was designed by the Parsons Design Firm, which is responsible for the design of many other ATCT towers. The cost of the new tower was about 30 million dollars.

The passenger terminal is named after the late US Senator Howard Cannon.[21] The lobby of the terminal has an exhibit with the bust of Nevada State Senator (and Nevada State Senate Minority Leader) William J. "Bill" Raggio. Raggio is described in the exhibit as being "The Father of the Airport Authority."

Military facilities

The airport is also host to Reno Air National Guard Base, an approximately 60-acre (24 ha) complex, which was established on the west side of the airport in 1954, when Air National Guard units relocated from the former Stead Air Force Base in Reno.

The base is home to the 152d Airlift Wing (152 AW), a Nevada Air National Guard unit operationally gained by the Air Mobility Command (AMC) and equipped with C-130H Hercules aircraft.

Terminals

Reno–Tahoe International Airport provides two concourses designated B and C with an overall 23 jet bridge gates.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
Alaska Airlines Portland (OR),[22] Seattle/Tacoma,[23] San Diego[24][25]
American Airlines Dallas/Fort Worth,[26] Phoenix–Sky Harbor[27]
American Eagle Phoenix–Sky Harbor[27]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta,[28] Salt Lake City[29]
Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul[30]
Delta Connection Los Angeles,[31] Salt Lake City[29]
Frontier Airlines Denver,[32] Las Vegas,[33] Phoenix–Sky Harbor[34]
JetBlue Seasonal: New York–JFK[35]
JSX Burbank,[36] Orange County,[36] San Diego/Carlsbad[36]
Seasonal: Las Vegas[37]
Southwest Airlines Burbank,[38] Denver,[39] Las Vegas,[40] Long Beach,[41] Los Angeles,[42] Nashville (begins October 1, 2026),[43] Phoenix–Sky Harbor,[44] San Diego,[45] San Jose (CA)[46]
Seasonal: Austin,[47] Chicago–Midway,[48] Dallas–Love[49]
Spirit Airlines Las Vegas[50]
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul[51]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare,[52] Denver,[52] San Francisco[52]
Seasonal: Houston–Intercontinental[53]
United Express Los Angeles,[52] San Francisco[52]
Volaris Guadalajara[54]
Destination maps
Domestic destinations (except California) from Reno–Tahoe International Airport
Red = Year-round destination
Green = Seasonal destination
Blue = Future destination
California destinations from Reno–Tahoe International Airport
Red = Year-round destination
Green = Seasonal destination
Blue = Future destination
International destinations from Reno–Tahoe International Airport

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
Ameriflight Los Angeles
DHL Aviation[55] Los Angeles, Phoenix–Sky Harbor
FedEx Express Boise, Las Vegas, Memphis, Oakland
UPS Airlines Denver, Des Moines, Fargo, Louisville, Omaha, Portland (OR), Sacramento–Mather, Seattle–Boeing
Seasonal: Kahului, Lubbock, Oakland, Ontario, Philadelphia

Statistics

Top destinations

Busiest domestic routes from RNO (November 2024 - October 2025)[56]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Las Vegas, Nevada 466,000 Frontier, Southwest, Spirit
2 Denver, Colorado 332,000 Frontier, Southwest, United
3 Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Arizona 271,000 American, Southwest
4 Los Angeles, California 218,000 Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, United
5 Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 177,000 American
6 San Francisco, California 132,000 United
7 Seattle/Tacoma, Washington 130,000 Alaska
8 Salt Lake City, Utah 120,000 Delta
9 San Diego, California 99,000 Alaska, Southwest
10 Long Beach, California 79,000 Southwest

Airline market share

Largest airlines at RNO
(December 2023 - November 2024)[56]
Rank Airline Passengers Share
1 Southwest Airlines 1,946,000 42.46%
2 American Airlines 645,000 14.07%
3 United Airlines 530,000 11.56%
4 SkyWest Airlines 503,000 10.97%
5 Spirit Airlines 305,000 6.66%
– Other Airlines 654,000 14.27%

Annual traffic

Annual passenger traffic
(enplaned + deplaned) at RNO[57]
Year Passengers Change Year Passengers Change
2006 5,000,663 – 2016 3,650,830 6.3%
2007 5,044,087 0.87% 2017 4,015,305 10.0%
2008 4,434,638 12.08% 2018 4,210,095 4.8%
2009 3,755,935 15.30% 2019 4,450,673 5.7%
2010 3,822,485 1.8% 2020 2,006,420 54.9%
2011 3,754,155 1.8% 2021 3,623,458 80.6%
2012 3,479,122 7.3% 2022 4,310,958 19.0%
2013 3,431,986 1.4% 2023 4,573,384 6.1%
2014 3,298,915 3.9% 2024 4,849,976 6.0%
2015 3,432,657 3.9% 2025 4,912,900 1.3%

Ground transportation

Car rental

The airport provides access to nine different rental car agencies, with rental car pickup available right outside the terminal building. All nine rental car counters are located in the baggage claim. After completing the rental agreement inside, vehicles may be collected from the parking structure located just outside the baggage claim.

Taxis and limousines

The passenger waiting area for taxis and limousines is located outside of the D Doors located north of the baggage claim.

Bus

Public transportation to/from the airport is available via RTC Ride bus:

  • Route 12 takes passengers either to Downtown 4th Street Station or Meadowood Mall and stops at Terminal Way & Villanova Drive, a short walk from the airport north of baggage claim via the marked pedestrian walkway.

Shuttles

Complimentary hotel shuttles stop along the curb, outside the D Doors located north of the baggage claim, to pick up passengers.

Accidents and incidents

  • At 10:15 pm on November 24, 1971, a Northwest Orient Airlines Boeing 727 landed at the airport with the aft airstair still deployed after the aircraft had been hijacked by an unidentified man who is only known as D.B. Cooper. The aircraft had been hijacked by Cooper between Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington earlier that day. After landing in Seattle, the passengers were released. Cooper and the crew of the 727 were allowed to depart from Seattle to Mexico City with a fuel stop in Reno. The crew reported that the aft airstair had been deployed while over southern Washington. Upon landing in Reno, the aircraft was surrounded by law enforcement. An armed search quickly confirmed that Cooper was gone. The identity of the hijacker and his whereabouts remain a mystery to this day.
  • In the early morning hours of January 21, 1985, Galaxy Airlines Flight 203, a Lockheed L-188 Electra, took off from the airport for Minneapolis, Minnesota and crashed 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southwest of the airport while the pilots were attempting an emergency landing after experiencing an unexpected vibration from under the wing. An investigation attributed the crash to pilot error for failing to maintain proper control over the aircraft while investigating the cause of the vibration. The vibration was later found to be caused by an open air start service door which the ground crew failed to secure before departure. All but one of the 71 passengers and crew on board were killed.
  • Also in 1985, Roger Stockham, who would later be arrested for attempting to blow up a mosque in Michigan, was arrested at the airport for planting a pipe bomb and carrying an unregistered weapon.[58]
  • On March 22, 1995, a Cessna 208 Caravan operated by Union Flights impacted a mountain 9 nautical miles from RNO, killing the sole occupant, the pilot. The pilot failed to comply with published instrument approach procedures and prematurely descended below the minimum altitude specified for the approach.[59]
  • On April 13, 2011, a Piper Cheyenne air ambulance flight landed uneventfully at Reno–Tahoe International Airport without a clearance, after the single overnight air traffic controller fell asleep. Federal Aviation Regulations state that if a control tower is not in operation (a condition satisfied by the fact that the controller was asleep), it is considered an "uncontrolled airport" with flight and ground movement becoming the responsibility of the pilot. The incident was minor in nature and safety was never compromised; however, it led to the resignation of Air Traffic Organization chief executive Hank Krakowski.[60] The Federal Aviation Administration announced that 27 airports, including RNO, would subsequently be staffed with two air traffic controllers during graveyard shifts.[61]

Sound levels

Sound levels have been analyzed for over two decades at this airport, with one of the first studies being a comprehensive production of aircraft sound level contour maps.[62] Later analysis was conducted to analyze sound levels at Kate Smith School and provide retrofitting to reduce sound levels through a Federal Aviation Administration grant.[63]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for RNO PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective December 25, 2025.
  2. ^ "RNO Airport Authority Page". renoairport.com. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  3. ^ "Cannon International Airport". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved May 3, 2009.
  4. ^ "Reno-Tahoe International Airport Profile | CAPA".
  5. ^ "AirNav: KRNO - Reno/Tahoe International Airport".
  6. ^ "William Boeing and Eddie Hubbard make first U.S. delivery of international airmail on March 3, 1919". www.historylink.org.
  7. ^ "2007–08 budget of the Reno–Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA)" (PDF). nsla.nevadaculture.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 31, 2014.
  8. ^ "Airport Fact Sheet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 23, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2016., Reno/Tahoe International Airport
  9. ^ "Continental Airlines Self-Check-In Kiosk Network Expanded to All Domestic U.S. Airports". Continental Airlines. PR Newswire. January 8, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  10. ^ Hidalgo, Jason (April 6, 2022). "'Vastly undersized' Reno airport to expand, upgrade aging infrastructure". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  11. ^ "10-07-2014 – New International Service to Guadalajara Pending Customs Approval". Reno-Tahoe International Airport. October 7, 2014. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  12. ^ "Thomas Cook Airlines to Launch London Gatwick – Reno Service starting December 2015". airlineroute.net.
  13. ^ "Nonstop Reno-London flights scrapped". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  14. ^ "05-07-2015 - London Flight on Thomas Cook is Cancelled". www.renoairport.com. May 8, 2015.
  15. ^ a b "Reno-Tahoe International Airport Expansion". www.airport-technology.com. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  16. ^ Vaerewyck, Abigail (April 12, 2024). "Reno Tahoe Intl. Airport reveals expanded ticketing hall in $35M upgrade project". mynews4.com. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  17. ^ "Construction projects moving forward at RNO". www.2news.com. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  18. ^ "RNO airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. FAA data effective March 20, 2025.
  19. ^ "2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A" (PDF, 2.03 MB). National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010.
  20. ^ Burrows, Kim (December 1, 2022). "Reno's airport makes changes to runways due to earth's magnetic fields shifting". KRNV. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  21. ^ "Reno/Tahoe International Airport Information - HotelsByCity.net". hotelsbycity.net. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  22. ^ Clarke, Patrick (February 12, 2024). "Alaska Airlines Expands Service From Portland International Airport". Travel Pulse. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  23. ^ Lo, Lucy (April 25, 2024). "Alaska Airlines Adds New Routes In Southern California". Airline Economics Ltd. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  24. ^ "Alaska Adds 18 New Routes". Airline Geeks. July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  25. ^ https://www.rgj.com/story/news/money/business/2025/09/26/reno-tahoe-international-airport-getting-new-san-diego-phoenix-flights/86370838007/
  26. ^ "Dallas-Bound American Airlines Flight Makes Safe Emergency Landing in Reno". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. June 25, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  27. ^ a b Sharma, Anurag (December 8, 2024). "American Airlines Boeing 737 Tire Falls, Flight Returned to Phoenix Airport". Aviation A2Z. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  28. ^ Nowicki, Katherine (September 25, 2023). "Delta Air Lines to launch nonstop service from Reno-Tahoe to Atlanta in 2024". KRNV-DT. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  29. ^ a b Wood, Donald (September 18, 2023). "Delta Air Lines Announces New, Returning 2024 Summer Flights". Travel Pulse. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  30. ^ Sego, Alyxandra (December 20, 2022). "Delta adds nonstop MSP flights to Reno, Jackson Hole, Richmond and more". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  31. ^ "More flights coming to Reno-Tahoe International as Delta Air Lines enters Los Angeles market". Reno Gazette Journal. October 26, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  32. ^ Meehan, Jeffrey (November 19, 2024). "Frontier Airlines is returning to Reno in 2025 with nonstop flights to Las Vegas, Denver". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  33. ^ Sheridan, Kevin (November 19, 2024). "Frontier Airlines returns to Reno in 2025". www.kolotv.com. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  34. ^ Hidalgo, Jason (September 5, 2025). "Frontier adds new Reno-Phoenix nonstop flight amid Spirit's bankruptcy woes". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  35. ^ Hidalgo, Jason (October 4, 2023). "JetBlue brings back daily nonstop Reno-New York holiday flights. What you need to know". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  36. ^ a b c Hidalgo, Jason (March 18, 2025). "JSX adding 'hop-on' nonstop Reno flights to Las Vegas, Southern California". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  37. ^ Ewing, Ryan (March 18, 2025). "JSX Expands Network With New Routes | AirlineGeeks.com". AirlineGeeks.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  38. ^ Meehan, Jeffrey (January 12, 2026). "Southwest assigned seats begin Jan. 27 with new boarding groups". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  39. ^ Hidalgo, Jason (February 25, 2025). "Southwest Airlines starting nonstop Reno-Austin flights in March: What to know". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  40. ^ Young, Jaedyn (March 20, 2025). "Southwest flight from Las Vegas lands with minor onboard fire at Reno-Tahoe; no injuries". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  41. ^ Pallini, Thomas (December 11, 2020). "Southwest just announced 19 new leisure routes across the US and Mexico and a new destination — here's the full list". Business Insider. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  42. ^ Malara, Marilyn (August 18, 2015). "Jason Derulo kicked off flight after altercation - UPI.com". UPI. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  43. ^ Hidalgo, Jason (February 12, 2026). "Southwest Airlines is adding a new nonstop Reno-Nashville flight". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  44. ^ "Southwest adding daily nonstop Reno-Phoenix flight". East Valley Tribune. September 2, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  45. ^ Dundas, Suzie (July 8, 2025). "Chaotic, Slow, and Delayed: My First Southwest Flight Without 'Bags Fly Free'". Matador Network. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  46. ^ Munce, Megan (September 8, 2021). "Southwest Airlines resumes flights between San Jose, Reno". Bay City News Foundation. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  47. ^ "Southwest Airlines announces direct flights from Austin to Reno and Milwaukee". CBS Austin. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  48. ^ "Reno-Tahoe International Airport Expanding Nonstop Flights". 2 News Nevada. February 26, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  49. ^ "Southwest to provide weekly nonstop flights from Dallas Love Field to Reno-Tahoe". Carson Now. July 7, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  50. ^ Silverstein, William (February 27, 2026). "Spirit Airlines may end Las Vegas flights from several West Coast cities". KSNV. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  51. ^ Kelly, Brianna (March 8, 2022). "Sun Country adds four new routes, including Minneapolis to Reno/Tahoe". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  52. ^ a b c d e Wichter, Zach (May 27, 2025). "United sets 45-minute check-in cutoff for all US flights, including Reno". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  53. ^ "United Airlines expands Reno to Houston nonstop flights". Associated Press. May 4, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  54. ^ Hidalgo, Jason (July 29, 2020). "Retiring exec Marily Mora looks back at roller coaster ride as Reno airport CEO". Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  55. ^ "DHL selects Northern Air Cargo to operate western US service loop". Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  56. ^ a b "Reno–Tahoe, NV: Reno–Tahoe International (RNO)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  57. ^ "Annual Airport Data for RNO". renoairport.com. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  58. ^ "Terror charges filed in plot to blow up Islamic Center (UPDATED) - News - Press and Guide". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  59. ^ "Accident description for N9417B at Aviation Safety Network". aviationsafetynetwork.org. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  60. ^ Sonner, Scott (April 14, 2011). "FAA official resigns after sleeping controllers". Los Angeles Daily News. Associated Press. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  61. ^ Hidalgo, Jason (April 13, 2011). "FAA two-controller-at-night policy in Reno changed shortly after it was put in place". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, Nevada. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  62. ^ Vegelatos, Reno Cannon International Airport Contour Maps, prepared for the Reno Cannon International Airport (1985)
  63. ^ C.Michael Hogan and Ballard George, Aircraft Sound Insulation Study for the Kate Smith School, Sparks, Earth Metrics, prepared for the FAA, January 8, 1988
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