At a time when the San Antonio tourism industry is booming, there's an increased push to take a closer look at the city's airport to keep the positive momentum going, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"International travel is a growing market for the United States and I think San Antonio should really strategize to get our piece of the pie," Cassandra Matej, head of Visit San Antonio, tells Newsradio 1200 WOAI.
The city's air travel hub has been a convenient punching bag for politicians as they discuss the future of growth. Both the mayor and the county judge have announced plans to study the airport, and if there needs to be changes.
At their annual meeting this week, Matej praised the effort to put the spotlight on the airport.
"Do we have the capacity to grow our current airport to lure the international flights that we do need?" she wonders.
In his State of the County, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff floated the idea of an expansion to the old Kelly Airfield. That's part of the city's investigation as well.
The tourism industry in San Antonio has hit record highs. The city welcomes 34 million people a year, creating a $13.6 billion dollar economic impact.
Next year, with the Tricentennial and the NCAA Men's College Basketball Final Four, the numbers are expected to go higher.
And with that many people in town, Matej says the city also needs to address local transportation. She wants another look at light rail as a way to move people around, and between cities.