Avelo Airlines has announced it will begin commercial operations at McKinney National Airport (DTX) on Wednesday, November 11. The inaugural flight will depart for Fort Myers, Florida, with additional routes established to Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada. McKinney is situated approximately 11 miles south of Anna.
Introductory fares for the new service start at $99 each way. The airline is offering one free checked bag to passengers who complete their booking by the end of July. Avelo will utilize 184-seat Boeing 737 aircraft for these operations. The company stated that the expansion will create more than 100 jobs in North Texas to support the airport's activities.
Andrew Levy, the founder and chief executive officer of Avelo Airlines, described McKinney as a location the company had identified as having significant community interest. He noted that the airline was designed to provide low fares and reliable service, positioning itself as the launch and anchor carrier for the airport.
The arrival of commercial flights marks the culmination of a multi-year effort by the city. Former Mayor George Fuller was a primary supporter of the project, citing potential economic advantages for the region. However, the initiative faced opposition from residents concerned about noise and traffic. In 2023, voters rejected a $200 million bond proposal intended to help cover the estimated $300 million cost for the terminal and infrastructure.
Following the bond's defeat, the city council secured alternative funding and approved zoning changes in 2024, allowing construction to proceed. The passenger terminal features four gates, with space allocated for expansion to six gates. A federal lawsuit filed by the North Texas Conservation Alliance against the Federal Aviation Administration’s environmental review was previously dismissed.
