Most frequent flyers are familiar with the the two primary airports serving the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex” Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW). Now, it appears that the area’s proposed third commercial airport has an airline identified.
McKinney National Airport is Planning to Open a Commercial Terminal Next Year
While DFW and Love Field are well established, a new commercial airport is preparing to open in the Metroplex. Earlier this year the McKinney City Council approved the construction of a passenger terminal at McKinney National Airport (TKI).
The commercial terminal is expected to open in 2026 with four gates, supporting between four and 20 flights per day. By 2040, the airport could expand to 16 gates and up to 40 daily departures.
The construction of the new terminal isn’t without controversy as many local residents are actively flighting to block the expansion project.
Avelo is Looking to Add Service to McKinney
While the terminal opening is still over a year away, we’re beginning to see airlines become interested in serving the northeast corner of the DFW Metroplex. As first reported by WFAA, ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Avelo Airlines is in talks to begin service to the airport. The airline is looking to become one of the first airlines to serve the new airport.
Avelo currently operates flights between DFW and New Haven but, given the size of the metroplex, adding service to McKinney could make sense for the carrier as it prefers to fly into “more convenient” airports.
Based on the back and forth messages regarding the records request, it is clear that neither the airline nor the airport wanted these discussions to come to life.
Summary
While I think it is great that there will be another commercial airport in the DFW area, there are many residents actively fighting the expansion. If everything does end up going as planned, it appears that Avelo Airlines will be one of the first carriers to serve the new airport.