Residents to Decide Fate of McKinney National Airport’s Expansion to Commercial Traffic May 6

McKinney voters will play air traffic control on Saturday, either clearing the way for commercial use at McKinney National Airport or stopping those plans on the runway in the May 6 election. 

Mayor George Fuller said the city has been in the process of talking to the community and doing outreach, and believes residents are “beginning to understand” what expansion does and doesn’t mean. He added there had been a lot of “misinformation” spread about the city’s plans. 

“When people go to polls … make a decision based on the facts,” Fuller said. 

McKinney National Airport Bond Election

The McKinney City Council approved the May 6 bond election back in February, a measure that could invest $200 million toward the expansion of McKinney National Airport for commercial service. 

During a February meeting, Fuller said the city has spent years working with the Federal Aviation Administration and consultants on this plan. One of the biggest pieces, the mayor said, is the FAA’s environmental analysis. Assistant City Manager Barry Shelton noted the results of the assessment will be made public before the May 6 election. 

Fuller added in a recent interview that the city has had “overwhelming” interest from airlines. Due to non-disclosure agreements, the city cannot release additional information. 

He added the FAA needs to conduct an environmental assessment and reviews all analysis and mitigating factors. Fuller added while the report is not final, all items presented are in favor of the airport having commercial flights. 

The final FAA report will not be complete before the May 6 election but the city has posted environmental assessments on its website.