FAA Certifies McKinney National Airport for Commercial Service

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate to McKinney National Airport (TKI), legally authorizing the North Texas facility to commence scheduled commercial passenger service.

Announced in an agency press release on September 24, 2026, the certification marks the first time a Texas airport has received a new Part 139 certificate since 2005. The regulatory approval officially transitions the airfield from a general aviation and corporate reliever facility into the Dallas-Fort Worth region’s third commercial passenger airport.

Federal infrastructure investments and terminal development

The certification follows a series of targeted federal investments designed to bring the airport up to commercial passenger standards. The FAA has directed $9 million toward infrastructure improvements at the McKinney facility, funding taxiway construction and upgrades to the federal contract air traffic control tower.

These physical improvements build upon a 2025 U.S. Department of Transportation initiative that installed high-speed fiber optic cable at the airport to enhance communication systems as part of a broader air traffic control modernization effort.

Dan Edwards, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, stated in the press release that the agency is building a stronger National Airspace System by providing modern and reliable local airports. He noted that accommodating commercial flights will provide the rapidly growing community around McKinney with greater access to air travel options.

To support the influx of passengers, the City of McKinney is finalizing a new 46,000-square-foot passenger terminal. McKinney National Airport Director of Aviation Dan Carley confirmed that construction is on schedule for the facility’s opening on November 11, 2026, noting the project is generating significant excitement within the local community.

Avelo Airlines establishes new North Texas base

Ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines is currently the sole operator committed to serving the newly certified airport, positioning the facility as a secondary alternative to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL).

Avelo plans to base three 184-seat Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation aircraft at the airport, a move the airline expects will create approximately 150 local jobs. Inaugural flights are scheduled to coincide with the terminal opening on November 11, 2026.

The carrier is aggressively scaling its initial network from the airport. By December 2026, Avelo will serve nine nonstop destinations from McKinney. This includes four newly announced routes to Atlanta, Denver, Nashville, and New Orleans, which are scheduled to launch between December 16 and December 17, 2026.

“The response from North Texas has been extraordinary, and the bookings back that up,” Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said regarding the initial demand for the new routes.

AirPro News analysis

The issuance of a new Part 139 certificate is a rare event in modern U.S. aviation. The 21-year gap since the last such certification in Texas underscores the high regulatory and financial barriers to entry for converting general aviation fields into commercial passenger facilities.

For Avelo Airlines, securing a dedicated base at McKinney National Airport provides a strategic foothold in Collin County, one of the fastest-growing and most affluent suburban markets in the United States. By operating out of a secondary airport, the carrier avoids the slot constraints, taxi delays, and high operational costs associated with DFW and DAL. If the model proves successful, we expect it may encourage other municipalities with underutilized reliever airports to pursue Part 139 certification to attract ultra-low-cost carriers seeking uncongested infrastructure.

Sources: Federal Aviation Administration