- The FAA approved commercial service at McKinney National Airport on September 24, 2026.
- Avelo plans to begin flights to nine destinations, starting with Fort Myers on November 11.
- The airport’s 46,000-square-foot terminal will support a three-aircraft base and about 150 expected jobs.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued McKinney National Airport an FAA Part 139 operating certificate on September 24, 2026, clearing the North Texas airport to begin scheduled passenger service on November 11. It is the first Texas airport to receive an airport operating certificate since 2005.
The certificate authorizes the airport to accommodate commercial passenger airline service. After more than 40 years as a general aviation field, the airport is preparing to welcome scheduled flights.
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Avelo Airlines will be the first carrier to operate there, using a new 46,000-square-foot passenger terminal. The airline’s initial schedule starts with Fort Myers on November 11.
FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Dan Edwards said the service would expand local access to air travel.
“the community around McKinney is growing rapidly, and accommodating commercial flights will provide the community with greater access to air travel options.”
Ignacio Flores, director of the FAA Southwest Region Airports division, presented the certificate to airport officials at the airport on September 24. The agency announced the certification in Washington that day.
Avelo will add its nine destinations across five start dates
The airline plans to launch five destinations during November, then add four more in December. The schedule announced so far is:
| Start date | Destinations |
|---|---|
| November 11, 2026 | Fort Myers |
| November 12, 2026 | Las Vegas, Orlando |
| November 19, 2026 | Tampa, Fort Lauderdale |
| December 16, 2026 | Atlanta, Denver |
| December 17, 2026 | Nashville, New Orleans |
The December routes bring the planned network to nine destinations. Flights are scheduled to begin over several weeks rather than all at once.
The new terminal will support a three-aircraft base
Avelo plans to base three aircraft at the airport and expects to create about 150 jobs. The terminal is part of the facilities being readied for the November start.
Carley said the commercial operation depended on the airport receiving its certification. Carley also said the terminal and associated infrastructure, reported at $79 million, were on track to open November 11.
That investment covers more than the terminal building. The airport’s new passenger facility measures 46,000 square feet, while the reported total covers the terminal and related infrastructure.
FAA investment preceded the airport’s certification
The agency’s certification follows more than $9 million in FAA infrastructure investments at the airport. The airport had served general aviation for more than 40 years before preparing for scheduled passenger operations.
The certificate marks a shift in the airport’s role, from serving general aviation to accommodating passenger flights on a set schedule. The first Avelo departure is planned for November 11, with additional destinations following in the weeks after launch.
Commercial bookings will use DTX, not the general aviation code
The airport will retain TKI as its FAA identifier for general aviation, but commercial bookings will use the IATA code DTX. Travelers searching for the scheduled passenger service will see the commercial code.
Promotional one-way fares have been reported at $99.
