Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) will undergo a $37M upgrade to its passenger departures area and its security and explosive detection capabilities.
The upgrade will include a new Baggage Handling System that will move out of site EDS machines installed by the Transportation Security Administration in 2002. That alone will clear up lobby space and make the customer experience better, says spokesman Brian Kulpin, adding that the previous system cost the airport 40% of its available lobby space.
“We fully expect that departing passengers will actually experience a higher level of customer service during construction than they do now,” he says. “The temporary lobby we are constructing will offer much more room for passenger lines than we offer now.”
The project will impact departing passengers as drop off and pickup lanes will go from six to three, but airport has created a cell phone lot they can use to coordinate with customers.
The end result, Kulpin says, will be worth it as “when the project is complete, we will have a lobby that reflects the airport branding as the gateway to America’s Adventure Place. It will have an outdoor flavor with natural rock and a mountain theme.”
The 16- to 18-month project should begin in November.
