On May 6, McKinney voters will determine whether plans to bring commercial airline service to McKinney National Airport will be cleared for takeoff.
In their Tuesday, Feb. 7 meeting, McKinney City Council members unanimously approved a May 6 bond election that could invest $200 million toward the expansion of McKinney National Airport for commercial service.
McKinney Mayor George Fuller said “there is a lot to happen” before the city moves forward with the plan to bring commercial carriers to the Collin County airport, but this is an important step. Back in October, Fuller said that if the community does not pass the bond referendum, “we won’t spend a penny unless we have commitments from the airline.”
“If you’re pro-airport, [this election] doesn’t ensure that the airport is going to be built. If you’re anti-airport, it doesn’t mean the airport is going to be built,” Fuller said. “It means that we have taken a step in the many, many steps required before we get to the place where we are saying ‘I do’ at the altar.”
At the Tuesday meeting, Fuller said the city has spent years working with the Federal Aviation Administration and consultants on this plan. One of the biggest pieces, the mayor said, is the environmental analysis being conducted by the FAA. Assistant City Manager Barry Shelton said the results of the assessment will be made public before the May 6 election.
Shelton added the city does plan to hold open houses to discuss the findings, but those are set for June.
McKinney City Council member Patrick Cloutier asked those in attendance who are against commercial passenger airlines out of McKinney to “give us that level of approval” that will come with the bond election.
A story from WFAA previously reported that McKinney National Airport is looking to begin commercial operations by 2026. According to the report, city leaders estimated about 500,000 passengers would take off from McKinney National Airport annually.
McKinney National Airport Expansion
The proposed expansion of the airport had its detractors. Three people spoke against the city’s plan to expand the airport.
Dean Fleming questioned many of the statements and assertions from the city that the four-terminal airport could bring thousands of jobs and $1 billion annually in economic impact.
He added that many of the studies posted by the city show a bias in support of the terminal’s expansion. Fleming also questioned whether or not people would want to fly commercial out of McKinney, disagreeing that the airport could see 500,000 passengers annually.
“Do we really think that’s going to happen under the first year of service?” he asked, noting the airport has just one terminal.
Cloutier said he respects anyone hesitant about this plan but said the Dallas-Fort Worth area warrants a third airport and Collin County is best suited for it.
He added that McKinney National Airport already has airport infrastructure in place, noting its 8,500-foot runway is longer than that of John Wayne International Airport and San Diego’s 40-gate airport operates with one runway.
“This can work,” he said.
What’s Next
Fuller said following the meeting that the city now will receive, review and share with the public, the FAA’s environmental assessment, which is expected in March. He added the city will hold “numerous” open meetings to discuss the report and its conclusions.
He added the city has “tremendous interest” from major airlines for national routes.
“Assuming the FAA [environmental assessment] is favorable, the residents pass the bond and we have FAA approval, we will then be able to negotiate contracts with the airlines,” he added.
Fuller said the city would only begin moving forward on the project if the city can procure favorable contracts for the city.
While the plan for McKinney National Airport has garnered some negative reaction from residents, Fuller said it is important the city educates and provides factual information for residents to consider.
“There is so much disinformation on social media that it is hard to decipher the origin of opposition in many cases. For those that are informed and are opposed to the airport, we need to hear from them and see how to mitigate the reasons for opposition,” he said. “That said, there will be opposition by some residents that cannot be mitigated. However, I believe that if the majority of the community supports the advancement, we will advance.”
