- McKinney City Council approved a $7.6M contract to rehabilitate Taxiway A at McKinney National Airport as the city prepares for commercial airline service.
- The project includes widening the taxiway, adding new connectors, and removing deteriorating pavement while construction progresses on a 46,000-SF passenger terminal.
- The airport expansion reflects growing demand for regional air capacity across North Texas as fast-growing suburban cities invest in transportation infrastructure to attract business activity.
According to ConnectCRE, McKinney is moving closer to launching commercial airline service at McKinney National Airport, a long-debated expansion effort city officials say could generate more than $1B in economic impact within five years. Last week, the McKinney City Council approved infrastructure upgrades tied to the airport’s commercial rollout, according to the Dallas Business Journal.
The latest approval centers on Taxiway A, a critical component of the airport’s operational capacity ahead of scheduled passenger service later this year. City leaders are targeting November 2026 for the airport’s first commercial flight.
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A Runway for Expansion
McKinney National Airport, commonly referred to as TKI, has historically operated as a general aviation airport serving private pilots, corporate aircraft, and aviation training operations. Major corporate users include Toyota, Texas Instruments, and Cirrus Aircraft, which also operates flight training programs at the airport.
The city has spent years evaluating whether to introduce commercial passenger operations as North Texas population growth strains existing airport infrastructure. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport handled more than 87M passengers in 2025, while Dallas Love Field continues operating near capacity, according to airport traffic data.
The Details
McKinney City Council awarded Mario Sinacola & Sons a $7.6M contract to rehabilitate Taxiway A, per the Dallas Business Journal. The project includes widening the taxiway, installing new connectors, and removing deteriorated pavement to accommodate increased traffic and operational demands.
At the same time, construction continues on the airport’s planned 46,000-SF commercial passenger terminal. Avelo Airlines is slated to become the airport’s first commercial carrier once service launches.
The terminal project represents a major shift for the Collin County airport, which has primarily catered to business aviation and recreational flying. McKinney officials have argued that commercial service could reduce travel times for residents in the rapidly growing northern suburbs of Dallas-Fort Worth.
North Texas Airport Growth
McKinney’s expansion mirrors broader infrastructure investment trends across fast-growing Sun Belt metros, where suburban cities are building transportation assets to support population and corporate growth. Collin County ranked among the fastest-growing counties in the US between 2020 and 2025, according to US Census Bureau estimates.
Regional airports have increasingly pursued commercial service as congestion intensifies at major hubs. Smaller airports can offer shorter security lines and easier suburban access. North Texas has also seen rising aviation investment activity, including aircraft maintenance expansion projects near Fort Worth Alliance Airport.
Avelo Airlines has built much of its growth strategy around underserved secondary airports, similar to its operations in cities including Burbank, New Haven, and Wilmington. The carrier’s entry into McKinney could test whether North Texas travelers embrace an alternative to DFW and Love Field.
Why It Matters
The airport expansion could reshape McKinney’s economic development profile beyond its current role as a corporate and general aviation hub. City officials estimate commercial airline service could generate more than $1B in economic benefits within five years through tourism, business activity, and job creation.
For commercial real estate stakeholders, transportation infrastructure often serves as a catalyst for nearby industrial, hospitality, retail, and mixed-use development. Improved air access can also strengthen a city’s appeal to corporate occupiers evaluating regional office or manufacturing investments.
The project also highlights how secondary airports are becoming increasingly important in high-growth metros where existing aviation infrastructure faces capacity constraints.
What’s Next
Construction on both the taxiway rehabilitation and terminal development will continue through 2026 as McKinney works toward launching commercial operations in November. Market observers will be watching whether additional airlines follow Avelo into the airport if passenger demand materializes.
Future expansion phases could include additional gates, expanded parking, and further airfield improvements depending on traffic levels and carrier interest. The success of commercial service at McKinney National Airport may also influence how other suburban airports across Texas approach future passenger aviation opportunities.
