The Federal Aviation Administration has granted McKinney National Airport a Part 139 operating certificate, clearing the Texas airport to begin commercial passenger service. The certification, presented on Thursday, 24 September 2026, is the first airport operating certificate issued in Texas in more than 20 years and comes ahead of Avelo Airlines’ planned launch from McKinney in November.
The certificate is the regulatory step required for scheduled airline operations and follows the airport’s completion of federal safety requirements covering runway and taxiway pavement conditions, aircraft rescue and firefighting, emergency planning, wildlife hazard management and personnel training. Located in McKinney in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the airport is moving from general aviation status to commercial passenger service under its new role.
Avelo Airlines is set to be the first carrier at the airport, with service scheduled to start on 11 November. The airline has lined up multiple domestic routes from McKinney, including destinations in Florida and Nevada. FAA officials also cited more than $9 million in federal investment in safety and equipment upgrades tied to the airport project.