{"id":448360,"date":"2026-09-26T10:02:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T10:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/448360\/"},"modified":"2026-09-26T10:02:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T10:02:18","slug":"texas-first-new-commercial-airport-in-20-years-earns-faa-green-light-for-november-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/448360\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas&#8217; First New Commercial Airport In 20+ Years Earns FAA Green Light For November Launch"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The great state of Texas&#8217; newest airport, <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/avelo-airlines-expands-network-4-new-routes-3rd-aircraft-dallas-mckinney-base\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">McKinney National<\/a>, has now received its Airport Operating Certificate from the     Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/newsroom\/faa-grants-commercial-operating-certificate-mckinney-national-airport\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Part 139<\/a> will allow the airport to accommodate commercial passenger services, marking the first time a Texas airport has received a new airport operating certificate in more than two decades.    <\/p>\n<p>McKinney National (DTX) will become the third commercial airport in the Dallas\/Fort Worth metroplex, following     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/dallas-fort-worth-international-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/dallas-fort-worth-international-airport.png\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>Dallas\/Fort Worth International Airport<\/a> (DFW) and     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/dallas-love-field\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dallas Love Field<\/a> (DAL). The new airport will provide an alternative gateway for North Texas residents, avoiding the crowds and congestion experienced at the city&#8217;s two other airports.    <\/p>\n<p>                        McKinney National Airport Edges Closer To Commercial Flights<\/p>\n<p>        <img width=\"825\" height=\"550\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"McKinney National Airport build photo\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/mckinney-national-airport-build-photo.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/mckinney-national-airport-build-photo.jpg\"\/><br \/>\n        Credit:\u00a0McKinney National Airport<\/p>\n<p> The new airport edges closer to its first flights, which are to be operated by low-cost carrier     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/avelo-airlines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Avelo Airlines<\/a>. The FAA&#8217;s latest airport operating certificate being issued demonstrates that the airport has achieved the compliance that is required by multiple federal safety requirements, including that the <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/runway-taxiway-inspections-complete-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">runway and taxiway<\/a> pavement conditions are acceptable.    <\/p>\n<p>Additionally, aircraft rescue, firefighting, emergency planning, and wildlife hazard management personnel training are all in place. The FAA invested more than $9 million to support infrastructure improvements, including new taxiway construction and federal control tower upgrades. FAA Associate Administrator for Airports <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/newsroom\/faa-grants-commercial-operating-certificate-mckinney-national-airport\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Dan Edwards said<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe community around McKinney is growing rapidly, and accommodating commercial flights will provide the community with greater access to air travel options. We\u2019re building a stronger National Airspace System, which means providing Texans with the modern, reliable local airports they need to stay connected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>                        Avelo Sets Its Sights On Dallas&#8217; Newest Airport<\/p>\n<p>        <img width=\"1650\" height=\"934\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Avelo routes from Dallas McKinney National\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/avelo-routes-from-dallas-mckinney-national.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/avelo-routes-from-dallas-mckinney-national.webp\"\/><br \/>\n        Credit:\u00a0Avelo Airlines<\/p>\n<p> McKinney National is just weeks away from welcoming its first flight, and Avelo Airlines will be the first airline to operate to the new $79 million terminal. Avelo&#8217;s first flight will be on November 11 to     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/fort-myers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Fort Myers<\/a> (RSW), followed closely by     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/harry-reid-international-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/harry-reid-international-airport.png\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport<\/a> (LAS) and     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/orlando-international-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/orlando-international-airport.png\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>Orlando International Airport<\/a> (MCO), which will take flight on November 12.    <\/p>\n<p>Avelo has committed to a total of nine routes from McKinney, with     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/fort-lauderdale-International-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/fort-lauderdale-hollywood-international-airport.png\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport<\/a> (FLL) beginning on November 19, the same day as services to     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/tampa-international-airport-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tampa International Airport<\/a> (TPA) push back from the gate. Four more routes were recently announced, including     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/hartsfield-jackson-atlanta-international-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hartsfield-jackson-atlanta-international-airport.png\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport<\/a> (ATL) and     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/denver-international-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/denver-international-airport.png\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>Denver International Airport<\/a> (DEN) beginning on December 16, and     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/nashville-international-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Nashville International Airport<\/a> (BNA) and     <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/tag\/louis-armstrong-new-orleans-international-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport<\/a> (MSY) commencing on December 17.    <\/p>\n<p>To support Avelo&#8217;s operations at McKinney, the airline <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aveloair.com\/route-announcements\/avelo-airlines-doubles-down-on-collin-county-adding-four-new-nonstop-destinations-and-a-third-aircraft-at-mckinney-national-airport\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">confirmed it will establish a North Texas base<\/a> to tap into underserved demand, and it is a prime opportunity for the budget carrier to launch low-cost, affordable flights to popular leisure and business destinations. No other commercial airline has announced plans to operate to McKinney National.<\/p>\n<p>                                                                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/dallas-third-airport-first-commercial-airline-5-avelo-routes\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                        <img width=\"440\" height=\"248\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-800 custom thumbnail\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/095-avelo-airlines-boeing-737-800-robin-guess-_-shutterstock.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/095-avelo-airlines-boeing-737-800-robin-guess-_-shutterstock.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                    <\/a><\/p>\n<p>                    Related<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/dallas-third-airport-first-commercial-airline-5-avelo-routes\/\" title=\"Dallas\u2019 Third Airport Finally Gets Its 1st Commercial Airline With 5 New Routes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tDallas\u2019 Third Airport Finally Gets Its 1st Commercial Airline With 5 New Routes<br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Avelo will launch five routes from McKinney, giving Dallas a third commercial airport.<\/p>\n<p>                        Details Of McKinney National Airport (DTX)<\/p>\n<p>        <img width=\"1650\" height=\"1100\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Avelo Airlines at Raleigh\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/shutterstock_2688619321.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/shutterstock_2688619321.jpg\"\/><br \/>\n        Credit:\u00a0Avelo Airlines<\/p>\n<p> McKinney National is an existing airport that was first established in 1979. It is located 30 miles (48 km) north of downtown Dallas and, since its expansion, will become a reliever airport for the two other cities serving the Dallas metroplex. The airport is already home to corporate aircraft fleets including Texas Instruments and Toyota Motor Corporation. The airport covers a total of 778 acres (315 hectares) and has a concrete runway (18\/36) of 7,002 feet (2,134 m) in length. In 2023, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcr1.com\/5010ReportRouter\/default.aspx?airportID=TKI\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Federal Aviation Administration recorded more than 142,000 aircraft operations<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p>Aircraft Operations<\/p>\n<p>142,001<\/p>\n<p>Based Aircraft<\/p>\n<p>203<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, the city sought $200 million in bonds to develop the airport into the third major airport for North     <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetravel.com\/state\/texas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Texas<\/a>, and following endorsement by the council in January 2005, construction was approved to build the 45,000 square feet (4,200 m\u00b2) commercial passenger terminal. The airport has been designed with three gates and will eventually be able to be expanded to five. It has 1,500 parking spaces and <a href=\"https:\/\/simpleflying.com\/how-to-earn-miles-on-car-rentals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">rental car facilities<\/a>.    <\/p>\n<p>The airport has a US Customs service capable of handling international flight operations, and a contracted FAA control tower for flight operations between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The great state of Texas&#8217; newest airport, McKinney National, has now received its Airport Operating Certificate from the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":448361,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[27,29,28],"class_list":["post-448360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-texas","tag-texas","tag-texas-headlines","tag-texas-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/448360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=448360"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/448360\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/448361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=448360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=448360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=448360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}