FAA Issues Commercial Operating Certificate to McKinney National Airport

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it has issued a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate to McKinney National Airport, permitting the Texas facility to host commercial passenger airline service. According to the agency, this is the first time an airport in Texas has received the certification since 2005.

The Part 139 certification is granted to airport operators that meet federal safety standards. These requirements cover runway and taxiway pavement conditions, aircraft rescue and firefighting capabilities, emergency planning, wildlife hazard management, and personnel training.

FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Dan Edwards stated that accommodating commercial flights aims to serve the growing local community with increased travel options as part of broader efforts to strengthen the National Airspace System.

The FAA reported that it has directed more than $9 million toward infrastructure at the airport, funding projects such as taxiway construction and upgrades to the facility's federal contract tower.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation has utilized funding from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act for air traffic control modernization. As part of those initiatives, McKinney National Airport was equipped with new high-speed fiber optic cabling in 2025 to support communications.

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