McKinney National Airport is preparing to welcome its first commercial passengers this fall, with Avelo Airlines confirmed as the inaugural carrier. The five-year-old budget airline announced Tuesday that it will launch service to five destinations beginning in November, establishing a base at the facility located in Collin County. McKinney is about 11 miles south of Anna.
The airport, situated approximately 30 miles from both Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field, has undergone significant development to transition from a general aviation site to a commercial hub. City leaders initiated plans to upgrade the 40-year-old airfield several years ago, accelerating last summer with the construction of a 46,000-square-foot terminal. The city states the terminal is on track to open later this year, coinciding with the start of scheduled flights.
Avelo will house two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and approximately 100 crew members at the new location. The airline revealed its initial route map, which focuses heavily on leisure destinations. Four of the five routes lead to Florida, with the fifth connecting to Las Vegas. Tickets for these services are now available for purchase.
The first flight is scheduled for November 11, departing DTX for Southwest Florida International Airport near Fort Myers, operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On November 12, service begins to Orlando International Airport and Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport, both flying four to five times per week. The remaining two routes, to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Tampa International Airport, launch on November 19, each offering four to five weekly flights.
Avelo operates on an ultra-low-cost model, offering discounted fares with additional fees for amenities, similar to other budget carriers. The airline has previously navigated financial challenges, including the abandonment of its West Coast network last summer. However, it has maintained a presence at Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut, where it helped restore regular service to a market that had lost it.
