McKinney National Airport is preparing to welcome commercial passengers for the first time. Its first commercial flight is scheduled to leave Nov. 11 for Fort Myers, Florida. Avelo Airlines is the airport's only commercial carrier, with 11 destinations from McKinney. Airport Director Ken Carley said the milestone reflects years of work by many people on the project. The terminal has changed since the airport received its FAA certification in September and is now ready for passengers.
McKinney resident Rod Rimmer, who has lived in the city for six years, toured the terminal. He said he was impressed and that everything seems very new. Rimmer said the airport offers a much shorter trip from home than Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which he said takes about 45 minutes to reach. He said he hopes to see flights going west as well as east. Of Avelo's 11 destinations, two are west of North Texas: Las Vegas and Denver.
Carley said airport leaders will monitor demand as service begins and work with Avelo to add routes. The terminal will open with four gates and is built to support six. Hundreds of acres around the airport remain undeveloped. Carley said the service means more choices for North Texas.