Stellar Aviation breaks ground on a second Reno hangar, with more coming

Building one hangar is a response to current demand. Planning the next expansion before the current one is finished is a statement about future demand. That is the position Stellar Aviation finds itself in after breaking ground on a second 35,000-square-foot hangar and office complex at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) on Oct. 21, with a further 100,000 square feet of mixed-use development planned for early 2027. The facility will provide 30,000 square feet of hangar space and 5,000 square feet of office and shop space. It sits beside an identical sister hangar. The company states the building is designed for today's largest long-range business jets. Through its RNO and Carson City Airport (CXP) operations, Stellar is building a regional network rather than a single-airport presence. At RNO, the company leases and manages 80 hangars and two additional terminals outside its main FBO. At CXP, about 30 miles south, it operates an FBO, which strengthens its position with operators as a single FBO partner across Northern Nevada. Planning the additional 100,000 square feet of development before the current project is complete suggests confidence that demand for business aviation infrastructure in Northern Nevada remains strong enough to justify continued investment. Stellar COO Brad Kost said the hangar is "about making sure our FBO facilities keep pace with demand." It is also a reminder that growth in some markets is constrained not by a lack of runways but by a lack of places to park. Operators increasingly look for facilities capable of accommodating larger aircraft while also providing office space and operational support. RNO is notable because of its combination of business activity, tourism, and access to Lake Tahoe. Those dynamics have made the region increasingly attractive to business aviation operators. What operators need to knowHangar capacity matters only if it fits how aircraft owners and flight departments operate. This building is sized for the largest long-range jets and puts office and shop space under the same roof, which suits operators who want to base an aircraft rather than just park it. For those that operate in Northern Nevada, keep an eye on the 100,000 square feet of mixed-use space that won't last long if growth indicators continue to hold.