Reno, Nev. – The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority has informed private airport hangar tenants who were planning to host a campaign rally for President Donald Trump on Saturday that the 5,000-person gathering would be in violation of their lease agreements due to Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s directive of no gatherings in excess of 50 people and Washoe County’s recommendation to limit the number to 25 or less.
The hangar lease requires tenants to comply with all applicable state laws and directives. After reviewing the lease, the airport’s attorney found the rally would be in violation of Directive 021 from the Nevada Governor.
“This has nothing to do with politics. The letter we sent is about directives and safety and not political campaigns,” Daren Griffin, President/CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, said. “We would hold our tenants to the same standard whether it was a Democratic or Republican rally or any other type of gathering. We are complying with the Governor’s directive and Washoe County’s recommendation during a pandemic.”
The letter also cited the terms of the lease where tenants agree not to interfere with or impede the operations of the airport. Demonstrations and counter demonstrations near the confined area of the proposed rally and its limited access and proximity to the active runways of a commercial airport were a cause of serious concern.
“Our primary mission as a commercial airport is safety,” Griffin said. “We must comply with federal and state laws, directives and regulations regardless of the political season or party.”
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The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority receives no state or local funding. All operating revenues are derived from tenant and concession fees. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is the 66th busiest commercial airport in the United States, with nearly 4.5 million passengers per year. For more details, visit www.renoairport.com.