b'58 TKI GENERAL AVIATION Recent improvements were designed to accommodate corporate operators with business in the Dallas Metroplex.of the 2023 Aviation International News FBO survey. Now weretwo 30,000-gallon tanks and a new parallel taxiway that would finally at the point where the facility mimics the (level of) servicepush the commercial terminals cost to nearly $350 millionand that weve offered, Carley remarks.that doesnt include the Texas Department of Transportations The posh new McKinney Air Center, designed by Dallas-basedproposed off-airport highway spur to be built just south of TKI.CaCo Architecture, features regional limestone and wood-cladDespite a potential economic windfall from construction ceilings. The firms other aviation projects include the Terminal 2Wactivity and expanded airport services, the ballot measure failed. renovation at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and theNearly 60% of Collin County voters rejected the bond issuance, new Southwest Airlines cargo, provisioning and ground serviceeffectively grounding TKIs commercial terminal in the near future. equipment compound at Dallas Love Field (DAL).Were now working with city council on what options we TKI has 30 employees, more than 400,000 square feet ofwould have to move forward, whether its other financing or a hangar space and a healthy $15 million annual operating budget.partnership deal, Shelton says. Because of the growth in the Shelton notes that the only other nearby FBOs, located in thecounty and the region, and McKinney being positioned where it town of Addison, are at an airport that is landlocked and lacksis, I think [commercial airline service] is bound to happen if the space to build more amenities. This makes TKI the only game inoptions presented prove to be favorable.town for additional corporate clienteleand perhaps someday forCarley remains undeterred. We may look at a smaller plan to an entirely different pool of aviation customers.prove the concept, getting an airline in here by building just what we need for Day One, he explains. I dont think the prospect of Twos Company, Threes a Crowd (for Now) commercial service here is dead at all.The Dallas Metroplex already has the worlds second-busiest commercial airport in DFW, the primary hub for American Airlines,Until that changes, TKI will continue incentivizing general and also enjoys robust domestic service downtown at DAL, whereaviation customers away from nearby airfields by promising fewer Southwest Airlines was born and continues to call home. Both aredelays, superior infrastructure and service geared specifically for an hour drive from McKinney, however, and many believe Collinprivate aircraft. Another 40,000-square-foot hangar is in design, Countys rapid growth could eventually lead to commercial serviceand a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility will soon at TKI. be built, Carley says.In fact, Carley reports that multiple air carriers have madeBefore the city took over the FBO, it was only 60% occupied unsolicited inquiries about the prospect of such an opportunity. Aand TKI received subsidies of up to $800,000 a year from the study by InterVISTAS Consulting released last year projects thatcitys general fund. Today, the airport is fully leased, pays its own commercial service would bring more than 3,200 new jobs andway and needs more leasable space to meet customer demand. $850 million in yearly economic output to the region once TKIA 2018 study commissioned by the state of Texas indicated reaches 533,000 annual enplanements.that TKI had an annual economic impact of $213 million, and In an attempt to develop a commercial terminal at TKI,Carley is confident that figure underrepresents the airports true McKinneys City Council placed a $200 million bond package onvalue today. He estimates there are at least 100 more on-airport the ballot this May. Had it been approved, the city-backed debtjobs compared to five years ago and cites tens of millions of would have covered two-thirds of the cost of a 144,000-square- dollars in capital investments. foot facility on the east side of the airfield. Plans called for fourCarley credits McKinneys elected leaders for continuing to gates initially, with room to add a dozen more.support TKImajor construction delays and all. Were blessed More federal, state and local funds would be needed to breakwith a city council that understands the return on investment, ground on a $300 million terminal to complement DFW and DAL.he says. Theyre very bullish on the airport and understand what Also discussed were an on-airport fire station, a fuel farm withtheyre gettingTheyre not shy, and its paid off. November | December 2023AirportImprovement.com'