McKinney National Airport welcomes commercial passenger service, marking new era for North Texas Aviation

On November 11, 2026, McKinney National Airport (DTX) officially begins commercial passenger service, marking a transformative milestone for both the airport and the rapidly growing North Texas region with the opening of a brand-new commercial service passenger terminal.  

For more than four decades, McKinney National Airport served the community as a general aviation airport. Today, it enters a new chapter as North Texas's third commercial passenger airport, providing residents and businesses with expanded access to air travel while supporting the region's continued economic growth and connectivity.  

Garver has been proud to partner with the City of McKinney throughout the airport's commercial service development, helping guide the project from early planning efforts through design and construction to the historic first revenue service flight.

A vision years in the making

The launch of commercial service represents the culmination of years of planning, collaboration, and investment.

As one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, North Texas has experienced increasing demand for convenient air travel options. Community leaders recognized the need for additional aviation capacity to support residents, attract businesses, and enhance regional connectivity.

To meet that need, the City of McKinney advanced plans to expand airport infrastructure, including a brand-new terminal building to establish passenger service at DTX.  

Garver provided multidisciplinary services throughout the project, to meet the demanding needs of the unique project, including environmental assessment and permitting support, planning, site development, transportation engineering, utility coordination, water infrastructure design, landscape architecture, structural engineering, and aviation engineering. 

Building the infrastructure for commercial service

The project includes a new 46,000-square-foot passenger terminal designed to serve current demand while accommodating future growth. The new terminal will begin with four (4) ground loading gates with the ability to expand to a total of six (6) as the demand grows. Supporting infrastructure includes terminal roadways, public parking, utility extensions, aircraft apron improvements, fueling facilities, and a new Taxiway C that positions the airport for long-term operational success.

By bringing together specialists from numerous disciplines, Garver helped create a coordinated solution that balances passenger experience, operational efficiency, safety, and future expansion.

The result is an airport prepared not only for today's passengers but also for the region's continued growth in the years ahead. 

A gateway for future growth

The significance of this milestone extends beyond the airport itself.

As the newest commercial passenger airport in North Texas, DTX expands travel options for residents and visitors while contributing to economic development across the region. The airport is expected to support business growth, job creation, tourism, and future investment throughout McKinney, North Texas and surrounding communities.

For Garver, the opening of commercial passenger service represents the successful completion of a complex, multidisciplinary effort that brought together planners, engineers, environmental specialists, and designers around a shared goal.

While passengers will soon experience the benefits of new air service firsthand, today also serves as a reminder of the years of collaboration and vision required to bring a project of this scale to life. Congratulations to the City of McKinney and McKinney National Airport for a monumental achievement.