Inside the New Passenger Terminal Project

Construction of the new commercial passenger terminal at McKinney National Airport officially began in July, following a groundbreaking ceremony attended by city and state leaders.

🔗 McKinney National Airport (TKI):

According to airport officials, the terminal is designed to:

• Serve approximately 200,000 passengers annually in its initial phase

• Expand capacity to over 1 million travelers per year in the future

• Support modern security screening, efficient boarding, and passenger-friendly amenities

In September, the airport further strengthened its long-term vision by opening a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility, enabling future international flight operations.

🔗 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):

This addition positions TKI as a strategically flexible airport capable of supporting both domestic and international growth.

Why Avelo Airlines Is the Right Fit

Founded in 2021, Avelo Airlines was created with a clear mission: to offer everyday low fares by operating from smaller, less congested airports.

🔗 Avelo Airlines Official Website:

Key Facts About Avelo Airlines

• Headquarters: Houston, Texas

• Fleet: Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft

• Network: Service to 15+ U.S. states

• International destinations include Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic

• Focus on nonstop routes and simplified travel experiences

For travelers familiar with long drives and crowded terminals at major hubs like DFW International Airport, Avelo’s model offers a refreshing alternative.

Leadership Perspectives

McKinney Mayor Bill Cox described the agreement as a defining moment for the airport:

“We look forward to working with our airline partners in 2026 and beyond to bring air service to North Texas.”

Meanwhile, Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy emphasized the community-focused nature of the partnership:

“Our everyday low fares, convenient and reliable service, combined with an easy-to-use, small airport, create a travel experience that residents of McKinney and North Texas will enthusiastically embrace.”

These statements underscore a shared commitment to accessibility, affordability, and long-term regional growth.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The arrival of commercial passenger service at McKinney National Airport extends well beyond air travel convenience.

According to Avelo Airlines, the launch of operations at TKI is expected to create more than 100 direct jobs, including:

• Airport operations staff

• Customer service and ground handling teams

• Maintenance and administrative roles

🔗 Economic Impact of Airports:

Indirect benefits are also anticipated across hospitality, transportation, and local business sectors — reinforcing the airport’s role as a regional economic driver.

For many years, McKinney National Airport (TKI) was primarily known as a hub for private aviation, flight training, and business jets. Residents driving past the airport often wondered when — or if — commercial passenger flights would ever become a reality.

That moment has now arrived.

With Avelo Airlines officially committing to McKinney National Airport, the city has taken its most important step yet toward launching scheduled commercial passenger service. Exploreromaer beleive that this milestone signals a new chapter for North Texas travel, bringing affordable flights, job creation, and improved regional connectivity closer to home.

✈️ What the Agreement Means for McKinney National Airport

The City of McKinney has finalized a formal Airline Use and Lease Agreement (ULA) with Avelo Airlines, making the Houston-based carrier the first airline partner for the airport’s new passenger terminal.

🔗 Airline Use and Lease Agreement (ULA):

The agreement establishes a five-year operating term, with an optional five-year extension, and provides the framework not only for Avelo’s operations but also for future airlines considering service at TKI.

Under the ULA, airlines are granted access to:

• Runways and taxiways

• Aircraft parking and maintenance areas

• Non-exclusive terminal spaces, including check-in counters, boarding gates, and flight information displays

• Exclusive office and administrative space designated for airline use

Additionally, the agreement clearly outlines operational fees, including per-passenger charges and aircraft fuel fees, ensuring transparency and long-term planning stability.

What Travelers Can Expect: A Step-by-Step Timeline

For residents eager to fly from McKinney, here’s how the process will unfold:

Step 1: Terminal Construction Completion

The passenger terminal is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Step 2: Route and Schedule Announcement

Avelo Airlines will announce nonstop destinations and service start dates several months before opening.

Step 3: Ticket Sales Launch

Tickets will be available directly through Avelo’s booking platform.

🔗 Book Flights with Avelo:

Step 4: First Commercial Departure

McKinney National Airport officially begins scheduled passenger service.

The Advantage of Flying from a Smaller Airport

Smaller airports like TKI offer travelers several key benefits:

• Shorter security lines

• Easier parking access

• Faster check-in and boarding

• Reduced travel stress

🔗 Benefits of Regional Airports:

Rather than competing with major hubs, McKinney National Airport complements the regional aviation network by offering an efficient alternative.

Community Concerns and Environmental Review

While the expansion has been widely supported, some community groups have expressed concerns regarding:

• Noise pollution

• Air quality impacts

• Long-term environmental effects

A legal challenge has been filed against the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), citing environmental review concerns.

🔗 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):

City officials maintain that environmental mitigation and regulatory compliance remain integral to the project’s development.

Why This Milestone Matters

The commitment by Avelo Airlines to McKinney National Airport represents more than a business agreement — it reflects a long-term investment in regional mobility, economic opportunity, and traveler choice.

For residents of McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano, and Collin County, the ability to fly closer to home with low fares and nonstop routes offers meaningful convenience.

As construction progresses and route announcements approach, one thing is clear: McKinney National Airport is preparing for takeoff.

✈️ The runway is set, the partnership is signed, and a new era of travel in North Texas has begun.