McKinney National Airport

1. How long has the City of McKinney owned the airport?

The City of McKinney has owned the airport since it opened in 1979. The city purchased the Fixed Base Operations (FBO) and its facilities in November 2013 from a private developer. Prior to the acquisition of the FBO and its facilities, the City of McKinney owned 745 acres of dedicated airport land and received revenue only from land leases and fuel flowage fees. These revenues were not sufficient to cover the city’s operating expenditures, and the general fund was used to offset the difference at a cost of $600,000 - $800,000 annually.

2. What are the Fixed Base Operations (FBO) and its facilities?

The FBO that is called McKinney Air Center is the custodian of the airport. It is a business operated by the city that offers fueling, aircraft housing (temporary or permanent), light mechanical and any other special requests that may be needed. The facilities of McKinney Air Center consist of: 93 T-Hangars, which are leased to small engine and twin engine aircraft:

  • 3 Executive Hangars, which are large hangars that house business-type aircraft 
  • 3 Corporate Hangars, which house maintenance operations and additional storage

3. Why did the City of McKinney purchase the FBO and its facilities?

The Airport is an economic engine for McKinney and vital to the economic health of the city. 

According to the 2011 Economic Impact Study by the University of North Texas for the Texas Department of Transportation the airport generates: 

  • $44,248,730 in economic activity 
  • $17,709,560 in salary, wages and benefits 
  • 378 jobs

From 2003 - 2014 the Airport generated more than $26,962,772 in combined revenue from ad valorem taxes to the City of McKinney, McKinney ISD, Collin County and Collin College.

Decrease the annual city contribution to the airport. 

  • After 2006, development stopped and hangar occupancy fell from 80% to less than 60%. 
  • Aircraft owners were flying to other airports to purchase fuel and services because the previous FBO prices were the highest in the region. 
  • The city only received two sources of revenue: fuel flowage fees and airport land leases; both of these suffered with minimal development and high fuel prices.

Control the destiny of the airport

  • The city has the ability to control how McKinney National Airport will develop. 
  • The city gained the ability to negotiate directly with large corporate flight departments and have them relocate here. 
  • We increased the profitability of McKinney National Airport, which will, in turn, lead to the city lessening the tax burden on the citizens of McKinney.