During a city council meeting on Dec. 3, 2024, McKinney council members unanimously approved the rezoning of the McKinney National Airport (TKI) in order to allow for additional acreage. The rezoning approval makes airport expansion possible.
Why This Is Important
The project update arrives after McKinney residents rejected a $200 million bond proposal in 2023 that could have helped bring it to life. During the meeting, the proposal faces no opposition from council members or residents, prompting the council to pass the ordinance. The project is anticipated to cost up to $70 million.
With the additional acres for expansion and the possibility of an international terminal, the airport would not only continue to create on-site jobs but also get more people coming to the city. But, before an expansion, revenue sources and environmental approvals must be finalized, and construction of a passenger terminal will require a separate council vote.
What To Expect
The proposed project will include the following project elements:
- An approximate 30,000-square-foot passenger terminal (size may vary depending on tenant requirements)
- An approximate 1,500-passenger vehicle revenue-controlled parking lot
- Vehicle support space for emergency services
- Tenant material and equipment storage containers
- Aircraft deicing pad
- Aircraft refueling operations on the apron
- Two 30,000-gallon Jet-A above-ground fuel tanks
- Utility infrastructure (water, sanitary sewer, storm drain) to support the facility on a lot of approximately 60 acres
Economic Impact
As Local Profile previously reported, TKI generated an annual economic impact exceeding $299 million for McKinney and its surrounding areas. This marks a 41% growth compared to the $212.7 million reported in the previous study conducted in 2018.
McKinney National Airport played a key role in welcoming 56,900 visitors, who pumped $21.7 million into the local economy — a 155% increase in visitor volume and a 235% boost in spending compared to the last study.
Since the last analysis, direct employment climbed by 48%, fueled by increasing aviation traffic and new businesses. Including indirect and induced impacts, the airport supports 950 jobs with $81 million in wages. Add in capital improvements and visitor spending, and TKI’s total economic influence expands to 1,560 jobs.
McKinney Could Become An International Airport
The additional terminal could indicate a future of international flights. But, revenue sources and environmental approvals are still being finalized, and construction of the passenger terminal will require a separate council vote.
Where Will The Potential Expansion Occur
The 280-acre property is situated at 1915 FM 546, encompassing approximately 75 acres of land located north and west of the FM 546 and CR 317 intersection.
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