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McKinney National Airport Receives FAA Certification to Begin
Commercial Service Operations

— Airport Operating Certificate Clears Avelo Airlines’ Flights for Takeoff
Beginning on Nov. 11, 2026 —

McKINNEY, Texas (Sept. 25, 2026) — The City of McKinney and McKinney National Airport marked another milestone in the mission to deliver commercial air service by receiving an Airport Operating Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Certification is required for airports providing scheduled air carrier operations and ensures the airport is compliant with all federally required safety and emergency response regulations.

The safety of people and property are McKinney National Airport’s priorities and are regulated by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), specifically Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 139. By receiving its Airport Operating Certificate, the airport has demonstrated to the FAA the airport meets all FAR Part 139 standards, which include:

• Runway safety areas are cleared, graded, and the correct dimensions to reduce the risk of damage to an aircraft if it overruns, undershoots, or veers off the runway during takeoff or landing
• Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) personnel are trained and the airport has the appropriate firefighting apparatus to respond to on-airport aircraft incidents and accidents during scheduled commercial-service operations
• Public safety is addressed through signage, and perimeter fencing and access gates restrict airfield entry to authorized personnel only
• Lighting, signage, and pavement paint markings on the runway, taxiways, and aircraft parking areas meet prescribed standards
• Aviation fueling safety oversight through fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure and equipment, and trained personnel and standardized signage
• A wildlife hazard management plan, which documents how the airport will monitor and discourage birds, ground-based animals, and other hazardous wildlife that could affect the safety of landing and departing aircraft, and
• A snow and ice control plan, addressing personnel training and procedures to promptly remove snow and ice from the airfield and pavement condition reporting to maintain safe operations.

In September, FAA certification personnel visited McKInney National Airport to inspect the airport to ensure compliance with the above required standards. FAA oversight also includes having the airport satisfactorily complete a full-scale emergency exercise, which was held on Sept. 18, to test on-airport emergency personnel and equipment response times to a simulated air carrier accident.

“The City of McKinney has met all federal safety requirements clearing Avelo Airlines and other future air carriers for takeoff from McKinney National Airport,” said McKinney City Manager Paul Grimes. “FAA certification is a major development for the City of McKinney, the airport, and local and visiting travelers, and we proudly celebrate this milestone both publicly and internally.”

FAA Director, Airports Southwest Region Ignacio Flores presented the Airport Operating Certificate at a community and press briefing on Sept. 24, which included Avelo Airlines announcing expanded flight service from McKinney National Airport and the airport providing an update on passenger terminal construction progress.

“The community around McKinney is growing rapidly, and accommodating commercial flights will provide the community with greater access to air travel options,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Dan Edwards. “We’re building a stronger National Airspace System, which means providing Texans with the modern, reliable local airports they need to stay connected.”

Compliance with FAA standards is reviewed and documented at least daily by airport personnel through FAA-mandated airfield inspections, maintaining ARFF services, and managing wildlife risks. McKinney National Airport and the FAA also ensure ongoing compliance of FAR Part 139 requirements through annual recertification inspections.

McKinney National Airport has invested in these additional safety measures for airport services:

• Extending Runway 18/36 to 8,002 feet, an increase of 1,000 feet since 2013
• In 2025, McKinney firefighters assigned to on-airport Fire Station #4 and certified and trained as ARFF responders welcomed a new state-of-the art firefighting vehicle featuring under-truck nozzles and thermal imaging cameras for enhanced visibility during fog, dense smoke, and darkness conditions, and
• The passenger terminal construction program includes an area to deice commercial service aircraft, another layer of safety during winter weather operations.

“The McKinney National Airport team thanks the FAA for their guidance and support as we worked together to ensure the airport meets all federal requirements so that everyone who works, visits, and travels through our airport is safe,” said McKinney Director of Aviation Ken Carley. “We have achieved this important marker of success and are prepared to welcome commercial service flights and passengers beginning November 11, 2026.”

The launch of Avelo Airlines flights in November will coincide with the opening of the airport’s newly constructed passenger terminal. Learn more about McKinney National Airport by visiting FlyDTX.com. Book flights by visiting AveloAir.com.

Media Contact
Aschelle Morgan
Senior Executive Communications and Public Affairs Manager

City of McKinney

[email protected]

904-655-5698 - mobile

About McKinney National Airport

McKinney National Airport has served as a general aviation airport under FAA code TKI for over 40 years and is now expanding to provide commercial air service in support of the growing population and ongoing business investment in the North Texas region. In summer 2025, McKinney city and airport leaders broke ground at McKinney National Airport (IATA code DTX) on a passenger terminal to serve up to 1 million passengers annually and will open to the public on November 11, 2026. Avelo Airlines is the first carrier to commit to serving McKinney National Airport. With nonstop flights and the new terminal, located at 1910 FM 546, McKinney, TX 75069, North Texas residents, businesses, and visitors will have more options to travel to and from the region, saving them time, money, and hassle. Learn more at FlyDTX.com and follow @FlyDTX on Instagram and X, and McKinney National Airport on Facebook.

Photos' captions:
L to R: City of McKinney representatives Assistant City Manager Barry Shelton, Airport Director Ken Carley, A.A.E., and Airport Maintenance and Operations Manager Teresa Lyons, A.A.E., ACE, ASC, with the Airport Operating Certificate.