Stewart Airport doesn't see the type of traffic its New York City counterparts do. With fewer options available, some travelers may choose to fly out of JFK or LaGuardia airports.

"I have flown out of here multiple times and I'm not going to lie, a lot of times, even before COVID hit, it was like a dead zone," Newburgh resident Brittany Robinson said.

"I think it's underutilized and we've spent a lot of money in the last few years renovating, changing the place, and (there's) less routes, less airlines in the place," said Newburgh resident Michael Vela.

But that could change because the "SWF" is getting some much needed TLC.

The Port Authority debuted a three-part plan to boost the airport’s status and bring more air traffic to its gates.

"We're very optimistic in terms of Stewart's future, we are very supportive and ambitious in terms of Stewart's recovery as the rest of the air travel market recovers," said Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The first step in the recovery? A name change.

Stewart International Airport will now be known as New York Stewart International Airport to market the airport as a New York-based hub, especially for international travelers.

The branding is also to encourage airlines to bring international flights back to Stewart. In fact, the Port Authority built a $30 million customs facility.

"We believe it is a major positive for us to be able to say to travelers, to say to travel agents, to say to airlines that international processing will be absolutely state-of-the-art, it will be expeditious," said Cotton.

Travelers can also expect more flights out of Stewart in coming months. Airlines are expanding their nonstop service from Stewart to destinations like Savannah, Philadelphia, and several cities in Florida.

"People obviously want the most convenient and the easiest travel experience possible," said Cotton. "There are going to be an increasing number of nonstop flights from Stewart to specific destinations. Right now, the majority of flights on a nonstop basis will be to Florida destinations, but we're looking forward to expanding that as aggressively as we can."

To encourage more airlines to use Stewart as a hub, the Port Authority has launched an air travel incentive program, offering airlines financial incentives to expand service out of Stewart.

"If they had more direct routes from here, I'd use it every day," said traveler Michael Vela.

Airport leaders also want to capitalize on upcoming destinations in the Hudson Valley, such as Legoland.

The Port Authority is launching marketing campaigns in conjunction with Hudson Valley destinations, hoping to attract more tourism to the region.