First flight takes off from new terminal at McKinney airport

Airport option is now available for North Texas travelers. McKinney National Airport opens its brand new passenger terminal today. Dan Godwin is live there this morning, just before the inaugural flight. Dan, good morning. Good morning, Brandon. Up until today, there were two airports in North Texas where you could catch a commercial flight. And you know what? We just, some kind of alarm or a signal went off. Maybe they're doing a little testing on the first day. But anyway, as we mentioned, up until today, there were just two airports in North Texas where you could catch a commercial flight. Flight, DFW, and Dallas Love Field. But now, travelers, as you guys mentioned, have a third option, McKinney National Airport. We are inside the gleaming new terminal. Now, construction began on this 46,000-square-foot building last year. The price tag, $79 million. The funds coming from the city and various grants. The terminal has four gates with the capacity to add a couple more as demand grows. The airport has one carrier, the low-cost Avelo Airlines, based in Houston. The very first flight from this airport will take off at 9 o'clock this morning. The destination, Fort Myers, Florida. The flight will return around 3.30 this afternoon. Tomorrow, there will be flights to Las Vegas and Orlando. Service to Tampa and Fort Lauderdale will be phased in next week. Avella will also be flying from here to Atlanta, Denver, Nashville, New Orleans, as well as West Palm Beach and Sarasota beginning in December. The airport... The airport referred to as DTX for commercial service. That designation comes from the International Air Transport Association. There are plans, incidentally, to add a restaurant and bar here in the terminal. There will be some fanfare to mark today's inaugural commercial flight. Representatives from the airline, the city of McKinney, and the airport will make remarks. There will also be a ribbon cutting. The McKinney High School honor guard and dance team will also be on hand. And to commemorate what really is a significant day for the city of McKinney and North Texas Aviation. Reporting live, Dan Godwin on Good Day. Yeah, very exciting indeed. And nothing to wake you up on a Wednesday morning quite like a loud alarm. Good to know that the alarms are working. Very good to know. Way to handle it, Dan. Yes, yes, yes.