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The Federal Aviation Administration issued McKinney National Airport its Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate, the federal sign off that clears the Collin County field for scheduled commercial passenger service. Simple Flying reported the certificate on September 26, 2026, with FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Dan Edwards describing expanded access for a fast growing community north of Dallas.
The decision facing North Texas travelers is simple: starting November 11, 2026, they can book nonstop flights from a third Dallas area commercial airport instead of driving to Dallas Fort Worth International or Dallas Love Field. Readers comparing launch options can start with our airline booking guides before choosing dates from the new McKinney schedule.
- Status dated September 26, 2026: FAA Part 139 operating certificate issued to McKinney National Airport.
- First departure: Avelo Airlines Flight to Fort Myers on November 11, 2026.
- New gateway: 46,000 square foot terminal with 4 gates at 1910 FM 546, about 30 miles north of downtown Dallas.
- Launch network: Nine Avelo nonstops with introductory one way fares from 99 dollars.
FAA Certificate Clears the Final Safety Gate
The operating certificate confirms that McKinney meets federal requirements for commercial service, including acceptable runway and taxiway pavement, aircraft rescue and firefighting capability, emergency planning, personnel training, and wildlife hazard management. Simple Flying reports that the FAA invested more than 9 million dollars in supporting infrastructure, including new taxiway construction and control tower upgrades. Edwards said the investment builds a stronger national airspace system by giving Texans the modern local airports they need to stay connected.
The milestone is a first for Texas in more than two decades. No Texas airport has received this operating certificate in over 20 years, which makes McKinney the first new commercial airport in the state in that span. The field itself is not new. It was established in 1979 as a general aviation airport and already hosts corporate fleets connected to major employers, but November brings its first scheduled passenger terminal.
What Avelo Will Fly From McKinney
Avelo Airlines is the launch and anchor carrier, basing 184 seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft at McKinney under the airport code DTX. Avelo confirmed in its official June announcement that service begins on November 11 with nonstops to Fort Myers, followed by Las Vegas and Orlando on November 12 and Fort Lauderdale and Tampa on November 19. Four more routes join in December, with Atlanta and Denver starting December 16 and Nashville and New Orleans starting December 17.
That schedule totals nine nonstop destinations: five Florida, Nevada, and domestic leisure cities in November plus four more in December. Avelo said flights will operate Wednesday through Monday and that introductory one way fares start at 99 dollars. Travelers tracking the December expansion can compare dates in our coverage of Avelo adding four McKinney nonstops from December with fares from 99 dollars. No other commercial airline has announced McKinney service.
Inside the New McKinney Terminal
The 79 million dollar passenger terminal sits on the east side of the airfield with modern check in, centralized security, baggage handling, open hold rooms, and food and drink past the checkpoint. City destination site Visit McKinney confirms the 46,000 square foot building, 4 gates expandable to six as demand grows, and a 980 space public lot directly at the terminal door with rental cars on site. Projected throughput is about 200,000 passengers a year with room to grow.
Ground access runs from Highway 380 and Highway 75 to 1910 FM 546 in McKinney. The airport covers 778 acres with a 7,002 foot concrete runway designated 18/36. Pilots have long known the field under the FAA code TKI for general aviation, while DTX is the new International Air Transport Association code for commercial passenger flights and the code that will appear on boarding passes starting in November.
How McKinney Compares to DFW and Love Field
McKinney becomes the third commercial airport in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex after Dallas Fort Worth International and Dallas Love Field. The pitch is shorter lines, easier parking, and a boutique airport pace about 30 miles north of downtown Dallas, with no remote lots or terminal shuttles described in the city preview. For Collin County residents and visitors headed to the historic downtown square, nearby patios, and trails, the airport promises minutes from gate to town instead of a crawl through Dallas.
Avelo said the McKinney base will create more than 100 local jobs with the Texas based airline, adding to broader expectations of more than 150 positions across aviation and airport operations as the terminal opens. The five year airline use and lease agreement, with an optional five year extension, makes Avelo the first carrier committed at the airport and the only hometown airline announced for Collin County.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Live in Collin County or north Dallas | Compare McKinney nonstops before defaulting to DFW or Love Field, especially for Florida trips starting November 11. |
| Need December holiday flights | Check the December 16 Atlanta and Denver starts and the December 17 Nashville and New Orleans starts, which run Wednesday through Monday. |
| Want the lowest fare | Book directly with Avelo, where introductory one way fares start at 99 dollars. |
| Park at the airport | Use the 980 space public lot at the terminal door and allow time for standard screening at a new 4 gate facility. |
Booking Checklist Before November 11
Book directly with the airline, since Avelo sells the McKinney inventory on its own site and schedule details can shift by day of week. Service runs Wednesday through Monday, so Tuesday departures are not part of the announced pattern. Confirm the airport code on the itinerary: DTX for commercial flights rather than the legacy TKI general aviation code still used for private and corporate traffic.
Plan ground transport in advance. Rental cars are listed on site, and the terminal lot holds 980 public spaces at the door. Travelers headed into McKinney for events, dining, or the historic square should map the short drive from 1910 FM 546 rather than routing through Dallas terminals. As with any airport opening, recheck departure times close to travel, since first week operations at a brand new terminal can bring minor timing adjustments.
November 11, 2026 is the booking gate. Fort Myers opens the schedule, so Florida travelers should compare McKinney fares against DFW and Love Field before locking fall trips.
November 12 and November 19 are the network gates. Las Vegas and Orlando follow on November 12, then Fort Lauderdale and Tampa on November 19, completing the five city November launch.
December 16 and December 17 are the expansion gates. Atlanta, Denver, Nashville, and New Orleans extend the map to nine cities, so holiday planners should check the Wednesday through Monday pattern before buying.
When does commercial service start at McKinney National Airport?
November 11, 2026, when Avelo begins nonstop service to Fort Myers from the new terminal under the DTX code.
Which airline flies from McKinney?
Avelo Airlines is the launch and only announced carrier, basing 737-800 aircraft at McKinney with nine nonstops across November and December.
How much are fares from McKinney?
Introductory one way fares start at 99 dollars, and Avelo sells reservations directly on its own site.
Is McKinney easier than DFW or Love Field?
For travelers north of Dallas it can be, with a 4 gate terminal, 980 parking spaces at the door, and nonstop service Wednesday through Monday.
