The Gainesville Regional Airport plans to expand its facilities after seeing a record number of travelers in 2018.
The airport hosted 476,000 travelers last year, which is a 6 percent increase. As a result, Erin Porter, spokeswoman for Gainesville Regional Airport, said the airport will be adding two gates and begin service between Gainesville and Dallas.
Porter said opening service to Dallas this March will provide connections to 90 cities.
"The flight that comes in from Dallas will be met with a water canon salute, there will be arching water cascades over the airplane as they come in from Dallas to welcome them," she said.
Many North Central Florida residents fly out of Gainesville for its smaller setting and shorter security lines.
Melinda Anderson, a Gainesville resident, said she's a frequent flier at the airport.
"I find everybody in the airport from the ticket agents to the people helping you get on the plane to be very, very solicitous and helpful and positive," she said. "If we run into a problem, you know, it's no sweat, it's 'let's help you get this solved right away.'"