Avelo will launch commercial flights from McKinney National Airport in North Texas later this year, marking the airport’s first scheduled passenger service.
The carrier said it will begin flights from the airport on Nov. 11, initially linking McKinney with Fort Myers, Florida. Service to Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida, will follow on Nov. 12, while flights to Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, Florida, are slated to begin Nov. 19.
Avelo will operate the routes with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline also plans to open a base in McKinney, with two aircraft stationed at the airport.
The airline said the new base will create more than 100 local jobs, including pilots, flight attendants, aircraft mechanics, and airport personnel.
“Avelo was built for moments like this, and we are thrilled to be the launch and anchor airline at McKinney,” Avelo founder and CEO Andrew Levy said in a news release. “As a proud Texas-born company, we are excited to grow our presence in North Texas and Collin County, one of the fastest growing areas in America.”
Fort Myers service will operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Las Vegas and Tampa flights will each operate four times per week, while Fort Lauderdale and Orlando will each see five weekly flights.
New Commercial Airport
The announcement comes as McKinney National Airport prepares to open a new passenger terminal. Airport officials have said the project is intended to support initial commercial service while allowing for future growth.
McKinney secured $52.4 million in funding commitments earlier this year for commercial-service infrastructure, including a passenger terminal, taxiway, fuel farm, and other improvements. The airport has long served general aviation traffic.
The new service will make McKinney another commercial airport in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, alongside Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field. DFW Airport CEO Chris McLaughlin said last year that he was not concerned about McKinney’s commercial airport plans, citing the ability of large metro areas to support multiple airports.
