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McKinney National Airport says commercial service on track; terminal and runway work continuing
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Summary
Airport Director Ken Carley reported construction of a 46,000 sq ft terminal with four gates (expandable to six), a planned 500-foot runway extension to about 8,002 ft, and projected start of commercial service in November 2026; a consultant study forecasts substantial regional economic gains if airline projections materialize.
McKinney — The McKinney National Airport is advancing infrastructure and expects to begin commercial service in November 2026, Airport Director Ken Carley told a joint meeting of the City Council and McKinney ISD Board on Feb. 9.
Carley described the commercial-service terminal currently under construction — roughly 46,000 square feet with four gates and room to expand — together with apron, a thousand parking spaces, rental-car facilities and a parallel taxiway. He said a 500-foot runway extension will bring the primary runway to about 8,002 feet and that the airport has staged taxiway rehabilitation and connector work in midfield areas.
On economic impact, Carley cited a commissioned study tied to the anchor airline’s letter of intent: if the carrier’s third‑year projections are met (about seven average daily departures and roughly 450,000 annual enplanements), the airport could add roughly 1,840 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in regional economic output over the base $299 million attributed to current general aviation activity.
"Our plan is to start operations in November of this year," Carley said, noting construction is on schedule and that airlines have signaled interest in community training programs, job fairs and display days that could create employment and student opportunity pathways.
Carley also reviewed airport finances: the airfield is self-sustaining from fuel sales, hangar rents and leases, and the airport generated about $3.7 million in ad valorem taxes in the most recent fiscal reporting. He added that the airport’s operating budget is about $16 million and that the city is pursuing adjacent land development to support future aeronautical uses.
Council members asked whether the expansion would create internships or job pipelines for MISD students; Carley said airlines and airport partners plan job fairs and community engagement efforts and the airport is hiring additional staff as it transitions to commercial service. No council action or local incentives were voted on at the meeting.
