Here's another possible economic boost for the area.

Northwest Florida Regional Airport is reportedly close to being able to offer international flights as early as next year.

WestJet is considering adding service. Airport officials made the announcement during today's Okaloosa County Snowbird Expo, but WestJet wants to hear from you before agreeing to sing a contract.

The Northwest Florida Regional Airport booth caught the eye of many Canadians in town for the Snowbird Expo. These travelers were anxious to find out why Canada's second largest airline, WestJet, was featured at the booth.

Okaloosa County's airport director says discussions are underway with the air carrier to establish service to Valpariso by next year, but there's still a few loose ends.

Greg Donovan, Airport Director, said, "The logistics are there we just need to sell them on the details of what our market has in terms of customer demand."

The airport has launched a new Web site called wewantwestjet.com. Airport officials hope to generate community support

Donovon says having international flights will tap into a market that will benefit business across the panhandle.

"If we can open that market up that economic impact would be amazing. Not just in terms of visitors and the commerce that they bring but also in the potential of selling real-estate as well."

If the WestJet deal goes through the airport's director, Greg Donovan says he's convinced this terminal will be busy year round with international travelers and some of the Canadians we spoke to said they'd buy a ticket.

Joan Deering, traveling from Canada, said, "I'd like to jump on a plane and come down or my family could come and visit me. It's a lot more convenient."

Jim Galea, also traveling from Canada, added, "It'll be nice to get a direct flight from Toronto, Canada to Ft. Walton Beach instead of making changes in between, because the older you get, the harder it is to make these changes."

Other Canadians say they think this change would bring more visitors year round.

Bernice Galea, traveling from Canada, said, "There's a lot more Canadians than Americans visiting the area I think, almost. They haven't discovered the beautiful things of northwest Florida."

Eglin Air Force Base officials have already confirmed the foreign airline WestJet to operate from Northwest Regional. Airport staff are also working with customs to require screens only take place in Toronto.