Mayor McKinney: Major airlines showing ‘significant interest’ in possible commercial airport plans

McKinney, Texas. McKinney National Airport is one big step closer to commercial flights.

The City Council voted Tuesday to allow residents to decide on a $200 million bail to help pay for the airport. The bond will cover approximately two-thirds of the project’s estimated cost.

“I am and will remain a supporter and it will depend on the environmental assessment,” McKinney Mayor George Fuller said.

Fuller says the bond vote would be a good indicator of whether residents want it. He also says there are other ways to make the region a top-notch, state-of-the-art airport.

The first draft of the FAA environmental assessment will take 45 to 60 days to complete. Fuller said he can’t wait to see the results of this study, which deals with noise, traffic, pollution, and more. The draft environmental assessment will be presented well before voters make their decision on May 6.

“I like the airport, but I don’t like too many big planes…too much noise,” said Jesús Ríos, who has one of the houses closest to the airport. His family has lived in the area since 2004.

He worries about his family, his house and their windows, especially if large commercial planes fly over him. Congestion, noise and pollution are some of the issues raised at recent city meetings about the airport.

“Some will be affected badly and I sympathize and understand that,” Fuller said.

The airport requires FAA approval. and before that you need an assessment and funding. Only after that the city can discuss contracts with potential airlines.

“Although I have an NDA, a non-disclosure agreement, and I cannot disclose which airlines we are negotiating with… I can tell you that we have significant interest from major airlines serving this region,” Fuller said.

If all goes according to plan, by 2026 there will be four gates operating 20 flights a day and serving half a million passengers a year.

“I think it’s great for the city. But I have one vote, and there are 210,000 people who must weigh,” the mayor said.