Controversial McKinney Airport Expansion Enlists First Passenger Carrier

A North Texas project that has exemplified some of the tensions surrounding rapid regional growth is gaining steam, with local officials signing off on the release of more taxpayer funds authorized for the $79 million expansion of McKinney National Airport. Perhaps more exciting, the airport also nabbed its first commercial carrier.

Construction is already underway at the airport, where a controversial new commercial terminal is in the works. On Tuesday, the McKinney City Council signed a five-year use and lease agreement with Houston-based Avelo Airlines for passenger service.

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“We believe that our everyday low fares, convenient and reliable service, combined with an easy-to-use, small airport, is a combination the residents of McKinney and North Texas will enthusiastically embrace,” said Avelo Airlines CEO Andrew Levy. “In addition to providing more choices for residents and visitors to McKinney, we will also create well over 100 jobs in the region when we begin service.”

Nonstop destinations will be announced in the months preceding the terminal’s opening in late 2026. The agreement authorizes use of the airport’s runway and taxiways, maintenance areas, and other operational facilities. Avelo Airlines will also be getting office and administrative space, as well as an optional five-year extension of the contract.

“We have reached an important milestone at McKinney National Airport by signing the first Airline Use and Lease Agreement,” McKinney Mayor Bill Cox said. “The airport team has been working diligently to deliver convenient and affordable nonstop airline service to our residents and visitors, and we applaud them for their efforts to serve our community.”

Officials endorsed the commercial terminal over the protests of some of their constituents who argued multiple failed bond elections was proof voters didn’t want it, much less want to pay for it. Council members ended up turning to sales tax dollars to finance the expansion.

In addition to signing Avelo Airlines, McKinney City Council adopted a budget amendment appropriating the last several million dollars of a $22.4 million package approved by the McKinney Economic Development Corporation (which is primarily funded by a half-cent sales tax) earlier this year.

Council members also approved a $17.7 million contract with Mario Sinacola & Sons Excavating for a new taxiway and roadway improvements. A $2.9 million contract with the engineering and planning firm Garver for continued construction administration was also authorized, as was a much smaller one ($158,500) with Terracon Consultants for “construction observation and materials testing.”

“This project is gaining momentum, and it’s exciting to see the city’s long-term planning turn into visible progress towards delivering a commercial terminal that will strengthen our economy and increase connectivity and convenience for our residents,” Cox said.

Spanning 46,000 square feet on the east side of the airport, the new terminal will service up to 200,000 passengers a year once completed. Assuming high demand, the terminal will be flexible enough to handle over 1 million passengers annually. A new parking lot will also be built with 980 spaces and capacity to grow to 1,450 spaces. It will have dedicated access to and from FM 546.