Ticketing Hall expansion completes first phase of MoreRNO
Shaping the skyline in Nevada for more than 40 years, McCarthy Building Companies (McCarthy) is proud to announce the completion of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) Ticketing Hall renovations, significantly enhancing the traveler experience as part of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority’s (RTAA) MoreRNO program.
The expansion is the first completed phase of the MoreRNO Infrastructure Program, the airport’s billion-dollar, multi-year project aimed to meet the growing demand for air travel in the area. RNO, which is owned and operated by RTAA, experienced five consecutive years of passenger traffic growth from 2015 to 2020. Passenger traffic in 2024 is steadily increasing and likely to surpass pre-pandemic levels. In April 2024, RNO served 364,374 passengers, an increase of 1.8 percent versus the same period last year.
The project, involving a 35,000-square-foot renovation and a 10,000-square-foot addition, was aimed at solving congestion and improving passenger flow by doubling the queue space. The newly designed Ticketing Hall now serves as the modern “front door” to the Reno-Tahoe region, with a design inspired by the natural landscapes of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding high desert.
Key features of the new Ticketing Hall include:
• A modern mountain aesthetic with materials reflecting the region’s natural landscape.
• Enhanced passenger flow and congestion relief.
• A higher ceiling with natural daylight and added energy-efficient lighting opens the space.
• A striking curtain wall design system and improved mechanical systems.
Renovations and upgrades to the Ticketing Hall included new public restrooms, ticketing kiosks and wayfinding signage with an increased ceiling height and more energy-efficient lighting.
With an ongoing and mission-driven goal of minimizing the impact on travelers during construction, the team worked collaboratively with all stakeholders to reduce disruption to airport operations. McCarthy, RTAA, and lead design firm RS&H modeled traffic patterns and developed plans for a tight construction footprint to avoid disrupting passenger flow. The renovation work was performed within limited-hour nightshifts to reopen construction areas each morning, which required coordinating with each airline’s daily flight schedules and ticket counter operators.
With open and ongoing communication between McCarthy, RTAA, and tenants being key, the team was also able to integrate an additional scope, replacing the drop-off and pickup lanes curbside in front of the Ticketing Hall beginning in mid-2023. Both projects were completed in tandem, on time and under budget, and without major disruptions to operations.
The success of this project is attributed to the close collaboration between RTAA, McCarthy, and RS&H. This teamwork ensured a seamless transition from the old to the new, providing passengers with a comfortable and efficient experience.
“In my thirty-plus years in the airport industry, working with numerous contractors, McCarthy stands out as second to none in providing the highest safety and operational needs for our airport and our customers,” said Cris Jensen, Chief Operations and Public Safety Officer for the RTAA. “Their tireless efforts, primarily working at night to avoid impacting operations and inconveniencing passengers, demonstrate their commitment to safety and excellence.”
With an extensive history and demonstrated track record of success in airport construction, McCarthy is currently working with several airports across the country including long-time client Harry Reid International Airport, formerly McCarran International Airport, in Las Vegas; Hartsfield-Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta; Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix; Denver International Airport; and San Francisco International Airport. Utilizing well-rounded expertise to enhance the project experience and outcome, McCarthy develops proactive solutions to unique aviation construction issues on diverse types of projects. This experience includes terminals, concourses, parking garages, baggage handling systems, flight simulation centers, cargo buildings, concession and tenant build outs, central utility plants, administrative and specialty buildings, and consolidated rental car centers.
