Avelo Airlines has announced that commercial passenger service will begin at McKinney National Airport (DTX) on Wednesday, November 11. The inaugural flight will depart for Fort Myers, Florida. In addition to the initial route, the carrier will offer service to Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada. These locations represent the first five destinations scheduled from the facility.
McKinney is located approximately 11 miles east of Prosper. The airline plans to operate 184-seat Boeing 737 aircraft from the airport. Avelo stated that it is creating more than 100 jobs in North Texas to support these new operations.
Introductory fares for the new routes start at $99 each way. Passengers who complete their bookings by the end of July will receive one free checked bag.
Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy described McKinney as a location the company had identified as interesting due to perceived community interest. He stated that the airline was built for this expansion and highlighted the carrier’s low fares, the convenience of the airport, and its on-time performance as key benefits for travelers.
Levy noted that McKinney National Airport will become Avelo’s fifth main base, joining hubs in New Haven, Connecticut; Concord, North Carolina; Wilmington, Delaware; and Lakeland, Florida.
The launch of commercial flights follows a multi-year effort by the city to develop the airport. Former Mayor George Fuller was a primary supporter of the project, citing potential economic advantages for the city and Collin County. However, the initiative faced opposition from residents concerned about noise and traffic.
In 2023, voters rejected a $200 million bond proposal intended to help cover the estimated $300 million cost for the terminal and infrastructure.
