Avelo Airlines has been selected as the inaugural carrier for McKinney National Airport, with flights to five cities scheduled to begin in November. The announcement marks the start of commercial service at the facility, which is expected to open its new terminal later this year. McKinney is about 12 miles east of Frisco.
The five-year-old budget carrier will establish a base at the airport, housing two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and approximately 100 crew members. The initial network includes four destinations in Florida and one in Nevada. Service to Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Florida, Orlando, and Tampa will commence in mid-to-late November, with frequencies ranging from twice to five times per week.
The airport is situated in Collin County, roughly 30 miles from both Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field. Local leaders have pursued the conversion of the 40-year-old general aviation field into a commercial hub for several years. Ground was broken last summer for a 46,000-square-foot terminal designed to accommodate passenger gates and commercial operations.
Avelo operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier, offering discounted fares with additional fees for amenities. The airline previously abandoned its West Coast route network last summer due to financial pressures but has maintained a presence at Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut. Industry observers note that the carrier’s entry into the Dallas-Fort Worth area fills a gap left by the collapse of Spirit Airlines in May, targeting leisure travelers with limited competition from major carriers.
