McKinney National Airport sees first commercial flight

The first commercial flight took off from the McKinney National Airport today. It was an Avalo flight going to Fort Myers, Florida. And while it's a historic day for McKinney, the development has come with some pushback. Fox Sports' Dion Englund, live after speaking with those who are opposed. Dion. Hi there. That's right. First milestone day here in McKinney. A smooth takeoff and landing to get things started at the region's newest passenger airport. runway, a new terminal. This is very nice. Yeah, very nice. I'm glad they're here. We don't have to go out to DFW. A new passenger airport in North Texas, McKinney National Airport. The first passenger flight took off to Fort Myers, Florida Wednesday morning. There are four gates and plans to expand to six. The inaugural carrier, Avello Airlines. Trip to Vegas, and hopefully they'll get flights to Baltimore. I'm excited. We needed this. The 46,000 square feet, $79 million development is a downsized version of the initial project. The plans met resistance along the way, and at times, controversy. McKinney has seen two failed bond elections regarding funding and legal fights brought by its neighboring town of Fairview. Lots of issues with noise and pollution and some of the wetlands that are between here and the airport. Ben Brown is director of the North Texas Conservation Association, a group that has Publicly challenged the airport since 2025 with lawsuits and data, including a noise impact study on surrounding communities. So while excitement spreads, Brown says an awareness campaign involving McKinney, Fairview, and environmental advocates continues. I think the conversation has started. We'll see where the conversation will win, and hopefully they'll work together and they'll listen to the data that's been collected and come up with real solutions to keeping the noise at the airport. And plans are on tap to expand the list of offerings as far as flight destinations from the airport as well. A restaurant and other vendors are expected to take up residence here as well.