McKinney National Airport’s first commercial airline carrier has just unveiled its first nonstop domestic flights and its fall launch date. Houston-based Avelo Airlines announced Tuesday morning that it will provide five nonstop routes from McKinney National Airport (DTX) to Las Vegas, Nevada ( LAS), and four Florida cities: Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Orlando (MCO), and Tampa (TPA). Flights from McKinney will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 11, using Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, according to a press release from the company. The low-cost carrier is the anchor tenant for the newly expanded airport in McKinney. McKinney’s expansion into commercial air travel had been years in the making and moved forward despite a failed 2023 bond election. City leaders said that outcome led them to pursue a smaller project with different funding sources, including local and state grants and sales-tax-backed debt. Airport Director Kenneth Carley said in February that the city reduced the scope to focus on what’s required to operate at the start, with plans to expand later. Carley said the goal was to build only what’s needed for day one and grow from there. Avelo’s Courtney Goff said the carrier is drawn to operating at a secondary airport in a large metro area and is excited to be the first airline to be anchored in McKinney. Handout photo Avelo is also announcing that it will offer introductory one-way fares starting at $99 for customers booking on its website in July. Customers booking in July will also receive their first checked bag free of charge, according to the press release. “We are very excited to be the anchor tenant and launch airline at McKinney National Airport, introducing nonstop service to popular destinations including Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), Fort Myers (RSW) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL),” said Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy in a statement. “We believe our everyday low fares, convenient and reliable service, combined with an easy-to-use, small airport, will resonate with North Texas travelers. We are also proud to base two aircraft at DTX, reflecting our long-term commitment to the region. This investment will drive meaningful job creation and economic development, bringing well over 100 new jobs to the area. As a proud Texas company, we are excited to grow our presence just a few hours north of our Houston home. McKinney is a community on the rise, and we’re proud to be its hometown airline.” During a tour of the airport’s new passenger terminal in February, McKinney Mayor Bill Cox said projections show a significant economic impact tied to the airport’s future, and that an expansion of $600 million to $700 million is expected in the couple of years after the airport begins operations. “With growth patterns and traffic and population increases in the Metroplex, really in the northern part of the Metroplex, it only made sense that McKinney National become a reliever airport for DFW and also Love Field,” Cox said in February. “This is bigger than McKinney, and we are as pleased as can be.” The city also said it is on track to secure a second carrier. It is important to note that there are two three-letter identifiers for the McKinney National Airport, which is run by the city of McKinney and overseen by the McKinney City Council. Commercial service operations at the airport can be found using the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code DTX. According to the airport’s website, the three-letter identifier is derived from (D) Dallas (T)e(X)as. When booking flights to and from McKinney National Airport, DTX will appear on airline websites and booking portals, on your boarding pass and checked-baggage tags, and in travel itinerary emails and receipts. Information about general aviation operations at the airport can still be found using the FAA code TKI, which derives from (T)exas Mc(KI)nney, according to the airport’s website. Avelo flights in/out of McKinney National (DTX) Avelo will fly between McKinney National and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas four times per week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays beginning Thursday, Nov. 12. Avelo will fly between McKinney National and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport five times per week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning Thursday, Nov. 19. Avelo will fly between McKinney National and Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Florida, twice per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning Wednesday, Nov. 11. Avelo will fly between McKinney National and Orlando International Airport five times per week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning Thursday, Nov. 12. Avelo will fly between McKinney National and Tampa International Airport four times per week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays beginning Thursday, Nov. 19. Avelo Airlines also flies to three other airports in Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Houston Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport. 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