Then and now: Airport grows, flights decline
Lake Tahoe Airport in 1963. Photo/Dave Borges
Lake Tahoe Airport today. Photo/Bill Kingman
Lake Tahoe Airport is a public airport also known as Tahoe Valley Airport (TVL).
The 1963 photo of TVL (courtesy of Dave Borges) shows a Lockheed L-049 Constellation propliner used by Paradise Airlines which served Salinas, San Jose, Oakland and Lake Tahoe until a fatal accident on Genoa Peak in 1964.
Nineteen different carriers — small, medium, large — have served TVL since 1963.
The airport has been without a scheduled commercial airline passenger service since 2000. The baggage conveyor and carousel have been removed. The FAA control tower is closed.
However, a fixed-base operator has continued to serve general aviation at TVL. The airport terminal building in my 2013 photo currently houses the city offices of South Lake Tahoe plus a restaurant and few other businesses.
— Bill Kingman
Convert the airport to a recreational facility.
what was the plane doin on Genoa if it only flew between SLT an the bay area.. Missed SLT by miles..
Since the City Council and City Manager are “ALL ABOUT THE MONEY” and not protecting the ambiance of Tahoe, they should install paid parking at the airport.
The aircraft missed the approach to Tahoe Airport because of a snow squall, was flying on instruments trying to get out of the basin. Probably thought or hoped he was headed through Daggett pass but missed clearing the peak by about 30 or 40 feet. I’ve been to the crash site several times (although not recently). In the seventies the path of the aircraft could be clearly seen through the broken trees, as well as the debris field scattering over the ridge and down the east slope. There was a rock cairn built at the site on which visitors used to place personal belongings (glasses, shoes and the like) that they found on the slope. The cairn is very likely still there.
Thanks Bill, this is the first time I’ve ever seen a picture of the aircraft – although I was familiar with the type.
Tahoe Advocate, you may not remember or weren’t here, but the airport DID have paid parking when we had airlines flying in and out.
I do remember and it was distasteful then as it would be now.
One of the best changes we have had at the airport was the FBO going to a local company. For years that FBO was a dump, and the ownership didn’t care about the airport whatsoever. This has been a change for the better, and we’re fortunate to have a very good local operation at the airport.
FYI, my understanding is that there is a charge for parking there at the airport, contrary to the comments above.
Av8rGal, there is no paid automobile parking in front of the terminal or in the lot. And there shouldn’t be.
Can’t you think beyond paid parking.
Initiate a parking pass for locals and move South Lake Tahoe into the modern age.
Can’t get passed paid parking because it will loose money for the next nine months!