McKinney National Airport (TKI) has taken a significant step towards commercial passenger service by signing its first airline partnership with Avelo Airlines, a Texas-based carrier.
The city of McKinney recently finalized a five-year Airline Use and Lease Agreement (ULA) with Avelo, which supports the development of a new passenger terminal currently under construction. This agreement sets the stage for future airline operations, granting access to runways, taxiways, parking, and terminal facilities, including check-in counters and boarding gates.
"We look forward to working with our airline partners in 2026 and beyond to bring air service to North Texas," stated Mayor Bill Cox.
Officials are considering a budget nearing $1 billion for airport expansion, aiming to initially serve around 200,000 passengers annually, with plans for growth to over one million travelers each year. Avelo's CEO Andrew Levy expressed enthusiasm about launching operations at TKI, emphasizing low fares and convenience. He also highlighted anticipated job creation, estimating over 100 new jobs when Avelo begins service.
The expansion project has encountered opposition, with a lawsuit from environmental groups concerned about noise and air quality impacts. Nonetheless, recent milestones including groundbreaking and facility openings indicate continued progress toward enhancing the airport's capacity and regional connectivity.
