Carson City finally appears on Reno-Tahoe Airport radar screen

Carson City, long neglected by Reno-Tahoe Airport, will play an active role as the airport seeks ways to attract more flights in the wake of American Airlines dropping 17 flights a day.

Airport officials and Carson City Convention and Visitors' Bureau officials will sit down soon and discuss what the capital city can add to the airport's marketing campaign.

For example, Tom Medland, the airport's air services development and marketing director, didn't know Carson City had 150 manufacturers.

Medland and the visitors bureau sparked a relationship Monday with Medland opening with a humble apology.

"Thank you for the wake-up call," Medland said.

Candy Duncan, the bureau's executive director, had called Reno-Tahoe Airport with concerns about American's cutback, which will reduce flights from 101 a day to 84. She asked how Carson City could help build air traffic.

Reno-Tahoe Airport, however, wasn't even thinking of Carson City as officials mulled the future upon American's announcement.

"During that time, we were working closely with Lake Tahoe, Reno and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority," Medland said. "I'm embarrassed to tell you we didn't approach you all."

When Duncan speaks further with airport officials, she will not only talk about the flourishing manufacturing community in Carson City and surrounding counties but also the Carson area's sudden emergence as a golf destination. The Divine Nine, the nine mostly new golf courses in and around Carson City, offers courses that PGA Tour pros have been known to play on weeks off from the tour.

"Northern Nevada is more than a gaming market," Medland said. "We are trying to present that to the airlines. We are an upscale leisure market."

Plus, the entire region from Reno to Fernley to Dayton to Minden is seeing strong industrial growth that should attract airlines seeking higher-paying business travelers, Medland said.

Mayor Ray Masayko specifically showed up at the visitors bureau meeting to meet Medland and forge his own relationship with Reno-Tahoe Airport.

"I want to make sure we offer any input we can," Masayko said to Medland. "We want to join you and be part of your efforts. I think the issue of air service really transcends leisure."

Masayko suggested airport officials also make contact with the Nevada Association of Counties and the Northern Nevada Development Authority, which recruits manufacturers to locate in Carson City, Lyon, Douglas and Storey counties.