Powerful backers including Sen. Cruz champion economic impact of McKinney National Airport expansion
New terminal under construction that will make ‘TKI’ region’s third commercial airport
Construction is underway on a new passenger terminal to support commercial flights out of McKinney National Airport and is expected to be completed in fall 2026.
California-based Swinerton Builders began construction on the new 46,000-square-foot terminal on July 18, following years of debate. Work on the $58million facility is expected to wrap up in November 2026, a city spokes person said in an Aug. 4 email.
Commercial flights are expected to begin later that year. The development will turn McKinney National Airport, which goes by code “TKI,” into the third commercial airport in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and the first in booming Collin County.
“This new terminal is not just an investment in McKinney. It’s an investment in the future of North Texas,” McKinney Mayor Bill Cox said during the July 18 ground breaking ceremony.
The project also includes a new aircraft apron, 980 parking spaces with the capacity to expand to 1,450 and a new roundabout to manage traffic from FM546. The entire expansion has a price tag of $79 million, funded by sales tax revenue bonds from the McKinney Economic Development Corp. and McKinney Community Development Corp., a Texas Department of Transportation grant, tax increment reinvestment zone funds, city utility and airport construction funds and airport operating revenue.
The commercial terminal will initially open with four gates, with the potential to expand to six in the future. Airport officials predict serving 200,000passengers in the first year of operation, with an average of three daily departures. By 2031, the airport could serve 1 million passengers a year.
“I was proud to work with the city while drafting the [Federal Aviation Administration] Reauthorization Act and to provide support to help launch this project,” Sen. Ted Cruz said during the July 18 ceremony. “This is a major milestone that will bring jobs and promote economic growth in North Texas.”
