The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is preparing to open its third commercial airport, with McKinney National Airport (DTX) scheduled to begin operations later this year. Avelo Airlines has been selected as the inaugural carrier for the facility, which is located in Collin County, approximately 30 miles from both Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field. McKinney is about 7 miles west of Princeton.
The airline announced on Tuesday that it will establish a base at the new airport, housing two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and roughly 100 crew members. Service to five destinations will commence in November, with tickets now available for purchase. The initial routes include nonstop flights to Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Southwest Florida, Orlando, and Tampa.
Specific launch dates and frequencies have been outlined for each destination. Flights to Southwest Florida International Airport begin on November 11, operating twice weekly. Service to Las Vegas and Orlando starts on November 12, with four and five weekly flights respectively. Routes to Fort Lauderdale and Tampa International Airport will launch on November 19, each offering four weekly departures.
The new terminal, a 46,000-square-foot facility, broke ground last summer as city leaders worked to convert the 40-year-old general aviation site into a commercial hub. The project aims to provide North Texans with an alternative to the region's two major airports. The airport is situated in a rapidly growing area of Collin County.
Avelo, a five-year-old ultra-low-cost carrier, plans to target leisure travelers with these routes. The airline recently abandoned its West Coast network due to financial pressures but has maintained a presence at Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut. Industry observers note that the departure of Spirit Airlines in May has created opportunities for low-cost carriers to serve niche markets with less competition from larger airlines.
