What happened?
Avelo Airlines, based in Houston, is the first airline to sign an agreement and commit to supporting development and operation of the airport’s passenger terminal, according to a Dec. 16 news release from the city. The agreement will run for five years and includes an option for a five-year extension.
The agreement includes conditions for Avelo’s use of certain airport facilities including:
- Runways and taxiways
- Aircraft parking and maintenance areas
- Non-exclusive areas such as check-in counters, boarding gates and flight displays
- Exclusive areas including designated office and administrative space
“We have reached an important milestone at McKinney National Airport by signing the first Airline Use and Lease Agreement,” Cox said. “The airport team has been working diligently to deliver convenient and affordable nonstop airline service to our residents and visitors, and we applaud them for their efforts to serve our community.”
More information
Avelo Airlines is the first carrier to commit to serving McKinney National Airport, according to the news release. The airline will announce a launch date and the nonstop destinations it will serve from TKI a few months prior to the opening of the commercial terminal.
The airline had previously issued a letter of intent to provide service at the McKinney terminal, starting with up to three daily flights using a mix of Boeing 737 aircraft with a minimum capacity of 149 passengers, city documents state. The airline operates at over 50 airports worldwide and flies to Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami, its website states.
Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said in a statement that airline officials were excited to be the “launch airline” at McKinney National Airport.
“We believe that our everyday low fares, convenient and reliable service, combined with an easy-to-use, small airport, is a combination the residents of McKinney and North Texas will enthusiastically embrace,” Levy said. “In addition to providing more choices for residents and visitors to McKinney, we will also create well over 100 jobs in the region when we begin service. As a proud Texas company, we are especially excited to plant our flag at TKI, just a few hours north of our home in Houston.”
To learn more about McKinney National Airport, visit www.flytki.com.
