Southwest Skips Dallas' New McKinney Airport, Leaving Avelo as the Only Airline

A new commercial airport will open soon in Dallas. McKinney National Airport (DTX) will open for the airline and the passenger by mid-November. However, Southwest Airlines has made an announcement that they will not operate their flights from the newly opened airport. This leaves Avelo Airlines to be the only carrier that will serve the passengers from the DTX Airport for now. 

Why Southwest Is Staying Away

During an annual Aviation Breakfast hosted by the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the Southwest CEO, Bob Jordan, addressed local broadcaster WFAA, saying, "It just didn't really work for our operation for a number of reasons.”

When a reporter directly asked Jordan if he sees the newly developed airport as a competitor or threat for the Southwest’s main hub, Dallas Love Field Airport, he answered that: 

“There is so much demand here in the city of Dallas, in the region, at Love Field in particular; there's far more demand than our 200-plus flights just at Love Field."

According to a report, McKinney Airport will try to attract the carriers that operate the Boeing 737 jets only.  

Love Field Remains Southwest's Dallas Base

Dallas is now having three commercial airports, but Southwest operates only Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL). It has no single flight operating from the other two airports. From Love Field, the airline serves a total of 80 destinations, and all of them are domestic. Out of these 80, 64 destinations are served throughout the year, while the remaining 16 are seasonal. 

According to data by Cirium, Southwest operates more than 200 flights daily from Love Field Airport and alone serves 16 to 17 million passengers annually. 

Southwest Airlines is changing its strategy of serving direct flights to focus more on busier hubs with more connecting flights. Instead of operating at multiple bases in Dallas City, the airline seems to be interested in concentrating only on Love Field. 

Avelo's Routes From McKinney

The first flight of Avelo Airlines is scheduled to Fort Myers on November 11. Avelo Airlines shared a list that confirms that the airline has selected 11 destinations to serve in the first phase. Further, the airline will add some more routes in December. 

About McKinney National Airport

• Location: It is located about 30 miles north of downtown Dallas, making it convenient for northern suburbs travelers. 

• History: It was opened in 1979 and initially served the corporate aircraft and private planes. 

• Runway: The airport has only one runway (18/36), 7,002 feet (2,134 meters) long.

• Terminal: The airport has a single main passenger terminal. 

What This Means for Travelers

• North Dallas residents: With McKinney, passengers will now have a more convenient alternative closer to home. 

• Southwest loyalists: Love Field is still the place to catch a Southwest flight in Dallas.

• Everyone else: The travelers will have more options, and now they can compare the price across three of the airports in the city and catch the best flight.