The town of Fairview has taken a formal step in challenging McKinney’s ambitious plans for its airport. On Sept. 2 the Fairview Town Council voted unanimously to establish a citizen-led task force to examine the impacts of the McKinney National Airport expansion and prepare a strategy to minimize potential harm to residents.
The group will focus on gathering and presenting credible data about how the project could affect the environment, property values and the overall quality of life in Fairview.
McKinney’s Vision For Air Travel
McKinney National Airport (TKI) has long been a hub for general aviation, serving corporate jets, flight schools and small charter operations. That is set to change. In July, city leaders broke ground on a new commercial passenger terminal, marking a new era for the facility.
The terminal is expected to accommodate 200,000 passengers annually, with future capacity for more than one million. McKinney leaders say the project aligns with their goal of creating a “future-ready” airport that supports regional mobility and economic growth.
“This new terminal is not just an investment in McKinney, it’s an investment in the future of North Texas,” McKinney Mayor Bill Cox said during the groundbreaking. “As our city has grown over the past two decades, we’ve focused on making smart, strategic investments that benefit our residents and the broader region.”
A History Of Resistance
Fairview Mayor John Hubbard, in a letter to residents, highlighted a long trail of opposition to airport expansion. In 2015, McKinney voters rejected a $50 million bond tied to the airport. More recently, in May 2023, nearly 59% of voters turned down a $200 million bond package that would have funded the new terminal and related infrastructure…