U.S. low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines has announced the launch of scheduled commercial service from McKinney National Airport, making it the first airline to operate regular passenger flights from the North Texas airport. According to Avelo, service from McKinney will begin on November 11, 2026, with five nonstop routes in the initial phase.

McKinney National Airport, which will use the IATA code DTX for commercial passenger operations, is located in Collin County, north of Dallas. Until now, the airport has primarily been focused on general, business and private aviation. With the opening of a new passenger terminal in late 2026, the airport is entering a new phase of development, aimed at serving passengers from the northern part of the wider Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Avelo’s arrival is significant beyond the launch of five new routes, as the airline will effectively be the carrier opening McKinney National Airport to scheduled passenger service. McKinney had more than 235,000 residents in early 2026, while the wider Collin County, for which McKinney serves as the county seat, has approximately 1.3 million residents and is among the fastest-growing counties in the United States. In that context, the introduction of scheduled flights from the local airport is not only a matter of additional connectivity, but also a reflection of the demographic and economic growth of the northern Dallas–Fort Worth region. Instead of relying solely on the larger and busier airports in Dallas, residents of McKinney and Collin County will for the first time have access to scheduled flights from their own local airport.

From McKinney, Avelo will operate flights to Las Vegas and four destinations in Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa. The first route, to Fort Myers, will launch on November 11, while flights to Las Vegas and Orlando will begin one day later, on November 12. Services to Fort Lauderdale and Tampa are scheduled to start on November 19.

Flights to Las Vegas will operate four times weekly, on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Orlando and Fort Lauderdale will each be served five times per week, while Tampa will receive four weekly flights. Fort Myers will initially be served twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

For its new McKinney base, Avelo plans to station two Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft configured with 184 seats. According to the airline, the initial investment is expected to create more than 100 local jobs, including pilots, flight attendants, aircraft technicians and airport personnel.

Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said McKinney represents an important step in the airline’s growth in Texas.

“Avelo was built for moments like this, and we are thrilled to be the launch and anchor airline at McKinney. Our everyday low fares, the ease of using DTX, and our consistent industry-leading on-time performance are a winning combination for travelers. As a proud Texas-born company, we are excited to grow our presence in North Texas and Collin County, one of the fastest-growing areas in America,” Levy said.

The City of McKinney sees the announcement as an important infrastructure and economic milestone. Mayor Bill Cox said the new service reflects growing demand for more convenient air travel closer to home and reinforces McKinney’s position as a destination for residents, businesses and investment.

McKinney National Airport Director Ken Carley said the opening of the new terminal and the launch of Avelo Airlines flights in November 2026 will build on years of work by the city and the airport. According to Carley, the goal is to help passengers save time and money by using a local airport instead of larger and more congested airports in the region.

The new terminal is expected to cover around 46,000 square feet, or approximately 4,270 square meters. It will initially offer four boarding gates, with the ability to expand to six, and will include a 980-space public parking lot, food and beverage concessions, rental car facilities and ground transportation services.

In recent years, Avelo has built its business model around smaller, less congested airports located near major metropolitan areas. The airline says that since beginning operations on April 28, 2021, it has carried nearly 10 million passengers on almost 80,000 flights. It currently serves 37 destinations across 15 U.S. states and two destinations in Puerto Rico, Aguadilla and San Juan.

The new McKinney base fits into Avelo’s broader growth strategy. The airline currently operates a fleet of 16 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft and, in September 2025, placed an order for up to 100 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. According to the company, Avelo is expected to become the first U.S. airline to introduce the E195-E2 into commercial service in 2028.

Avelo says introductory one-way fares from McKinney will start at $99, while bookings made during July will include the first checked bag free of charge. Tickets are available through the airline’s official website.