From 1979 to Present

This is a historical timeline of the development of McKinney National Airport (TKI), focusing on airport operations, zoning changes, bond referendums, City Council actions, and recent funding:

• July 17, 1979: The City of McKinney opened the McKinney Municipal Airport, its general‑aviation airport, later expanding a 4,000 ft runway to 5,800 ft by 1984.

• 2003: Airport changed name to Collin County Regional Airport. 

• 2011: A new FAA air traffic control tower was commissioned.

• 2012: Runway extended to 7,000 ft × 150 ft to accommodate aircraft up to 450,000 lbs.

• November 2013: The City of McKinney purchased the airport assets it not already owned from Collin County for $25 million, renamed it McKinney National Airport, and assumed FBO operations. Previously, the City owned the land but not the improvements.

• 2015: Voters rejected a $50 million bond intended to help fund expansion efforts, including a passenger terminal.

• 2018–2019: The city purchased ~190 acres on the east side and began building a new executive terminal (with delays pushing completion into 2020).

• 2019: Received a $15 million TxDOT grant to extend the runway an additional 1,500 ft, reaching about 8,500 ft in length.

• May 6, 2023: A more ambitious $200 million general obligation bond proposal for a ~144,000 ft² terminal with four gates, 2,000 parking spaces, retail, etc., was defeated—58.69% voting No.

• Spring 2024: Combined ~$5.5 million contributed toward design and planning.

• April 2024: TxDOT Aviation, on behalf of the FAA under a State Block Grant, prepared and released a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the airport’s east-side expansion. Public notice and comment period followed.

• December 3, 2024: The City Council voted unanimously to rezone ~280 acres east of the airport for airport‑related uses, a necessary step to enable future passenger service infrastructure.

• January 7–13, 2025: City Council supported the site plan for a downsized passenger terminal (~45,000–48,000 ft², three gates) and supplemental infrastructure including a new taxiway and roundabout on FM 546.

• February 18, 2025: Council awarded a pre-construction contract to Swinerton Builders; total cost projected at ~$72 million for the three-gate terminal, parking, and support infrastructure  

• March 2025: MEDC approved ~$22.4 million in grants; MCDC issued $30 million in sales-tax–revenue bonds as interim funding, to be repaid via a TIFIA federal loan.

• March 27, 2025: TxDOT issued the Final EA along with an initial finding of “no significant Impact (FONSI).

• April 21, 2025: A corrected Final EA was released including an update to public comments, the same day TxDOT Aviation officially issued the no-impact Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD). 

• May 7, 2025: Council approved ~$58 million construction contracts; funding includes local sales-tax revenues, city utility funds, TIRZ, and grants. Council vote was 4‑2 with dissenting Council members citing lack of regional funding participation and hidden costs like emergency services. City expects reimbursement from a $30 million TIFIA loan (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act), to cover the passenger facility charges and operating revenues. Additional ~$14–15 million planned to come from FAA and TxDOT grants and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone proceeds.

• May 26, 2025: The North Texas Conservation Association (NTCA) filed a federal lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to vacate the FONSI/ROD, alleging that the EA failed to meet National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) standards by narrowly defining the study area and omitting impacts to places like the Heard Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary and neighboring towns.

• July 12, 2025: FAA moves for a dismissal of lawsuit claiming that it was not a party to the TxDOT findings.

• July 17, 2025: NTCA requests additional time to respond to FAA.

• July 18, 2025: The City of McKinney held an invitation only ground breaking ceremony for the planned passenger terminal.