Commercial passenger service is scheduled to begin at McKinney National Airport in November, ending a prolonged period of debate regarding the facility's development. The launch follows years of controversy over the airport's expansion, which has faced significant community pushback and legal challenges.
McKinney Mayor Bill Cox stated that the new service addresses the demand for convenient air travel in Collin County, which the U.S. Census Bureau identifies as one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation. The 46,000-square-foot terminal features four gates, with capacity to add two more, and includes concessions and a parking lot with 980 spaces.
The infrastructure is designed to handle 200,000 passengers annually and is accessed via a dedicated road off FM 546.
Andrew Levy, chief executive officer of Avelo Airlines, the Houston-based carrier operating out of McKinney, said the investment will create more than 100 new jobs and boost economic development. Supporters argue the airport will increase local revenue through tourism and attract business investment.
The project proceeded after voters rejected two bond elections, including a $200 million measure in 2023. Former Mayor George Fuller explained that the city sought alternative funding, utilizing sales tax revenues and federal and state grants, including a $7 million award from the Texas Department of Transportation.
Fuller noted that voters rejected the funding mechanism, not the expansion itself, and that the city developed a strategy to mitigate financial risk.
Legal opposition also characterized the project. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit last November filed by the North Texas Conservation Association, citing a lack of jurisdiction. The group had challenged the Texas Department of Transportation’s environmental assessment, arguing it failed to meet National Environmental Policy Act standards.
