Commercial air 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 passenger terminal features four gates, with capacity to add two more, and includes concessions and a parking lot with 980 spaces.
A dedicated access road off FM 546 will connect the facility to the broader road network. The design allows the airport to serve up to 200,000 passengers annually.
Andrew Levy, chief executive officer of Avelo Airlines, the Houston-based carrier operating out of McKinney, said the project will create more than 100 new jobs and stimulate economic development. Supporters argue the airport will boost local revenue through increased tourism and business investment.
The path to commercial service has been contentious. In 2023, McKinney voters rejected a $200 million bond measure intended to fund the expansion for commercial use. Former Mayor George Fuller explained that the city subsequently pursued alternative funding, utilizing sales tax revenues and securing a $7 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation.
Fuller noted that voters rejected the specific funding mechanism rather than the expansion itself, and that the city developed a strategy to mitigate financial risk through dual-use improvements and potential federal or state reimbursements.
