The McKinney City Council has approved changing the name of Collin County Regional Airport to McKinney National Airport. The decision follows the city’s purchase of airport assets and the start of city operations as the airport’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO), McKinney Air Center.
“The new name reflects the status of McKinney National Airport as one of the premier general aviation airports in the country,” said McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller. “Fewer than three percent of the nation’s 2,953 general aviation airports are considered national airports under criteria established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).”
According to the FAA categorization program, a national airport includes very high levels of activity with many jets and multi-engine prop planes using the airport and approximately 200 totally based aircraft including 30 jets.
“This is a designation the airport has already earned,” said City Manager Jason Gray. “Our ultimate goal is to create one of the finest airports in the country that will be a favored destination for aircraft coming to North Texas and for companies and individuals looking to base aircraft in the region.”
The airport FBO, McKinney Air Center, offers a wide variety of services including 24-hour fuel and ramp services, catering, courtesy and crew cars, flight planning and weather facilities, on-site auto rental, private crew lounge, sleep room and showers, and U.S. Customs on-site. A contract FAA control tower and a fire station equipped with specialized crash rescue equipment and specially trained aircraft fire and rescue firefighters provide additional safety for airport users.
“Fuel sales are a major revenue source at the airport,” said Ken Wiegand, McKinney National Airport Director. “By providing that and ancillary services, the city will generate revenue to fund improvements to the airport to lure additional corporate aircraft and business to our city.”
