Feature Stories - January 2007

Infrastructure and Growth EXTRA

Krys T. Bart Reno-Tahoe International Airport

by Jennifer Rachel Baumer

Krys T. Bart, executive director, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, was recently chosen Airport Director of the Year for airports serving fewer than 5 million passengers a year. “I was very honored to be selected,” she said. “This is particularly an honor because the award is judged not by popularity, but by a panel of your peers. They look at specific things, such as organizational effectiveness, commitment and work in the community, financial success and how much revenue the airport produces.”

Bart was also selected chairman of the American Association of Airport Executives, which gives her the opportunity to represent the U.S. aviation community and, she said, “It puts Reno on the map and brings great attention to our city. It’s an opportunity to interact with decision makers nationally and internationally, so there are important dividends; when I meet with people who have no clue about Reno, we’ll be able to change that.”

Bart has been with the airport since December 1998. At that time, the airport was facing serious financial trouble and air service was declining. Since that time, she’s weathered the events of September 2001 and watched as Reno’s airport rebounded.

Things are looking up at the airport. Within the next few months, Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RTIA) will add six new outgoing flights. While the number of flights may currently be down, the number of seats filled per flight is up and cargo transport is up to three times the national average. RTIA receives no tax monies and generates its own revenue.