The Winnipeg Airports Authority hopes to add new carriers and destinations in the coming years and says travellers could soon have the option of direct flights from Winnipeg to Los Angeles, New York and even London.

The WAA has unveiled a new 20-year strategic plan to accommodate projected increases in passenger and cargo traffic.

WestJet will begin offering a weekly non-stop flight to Fort Lauderdale in November.

In addition to adding international destinations, the airport will also pursue more domestic options including Victoria, Kelowna and Halifax.

Pascal Belanger, chief commercial officer at the WAA, said adding more destinations and carriers will provide travellers with more direct flight options and more competitive pricing.

He said the plan might also prevent as many travellers from choosing to fly out of Grand Forks, North Dakota, instead of Winnipeg.

Melanie Carter, corporate travel manager at CAA Manitoba, said more direct flights to warm weather and U.S. destinations are something many travellers ask about.

"When people only have one week, or two weeks, for a vacation they don't want to spend 10 or 12 hours travelling on multiple flights when a direct flight will only take four or five hours," said Carter.

The 20-year strategic plan also includes provisions for expanding cargo capacity and parking at the airport.