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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- If you're a frequent flyer, you know it costs a lot to travel out of the Midlands.

Flights out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport are more expensive than other places like Charlotte and Atlanta.

But local economic leaders are coming together to discuss ways to bring lower-cost alternatives to Columbia.

The groups met for a summit Tuesday morning to find ways to bring more discount carriers to the city.

Columbia recently took a hit when SouthWest Airlines decided not to fly here, but experts say that's not the end of the runway.

"Airlines make strategic decisions based on what's best for them," says aviation expert Michael Boyd.  "Now, SouthWest thought that Charleston and Greenville made sense to them but that's nothing pejorative about this airport."

Boyd adds the major focus for airport officials now is to bring more travelers into the Capitol City.

Vote in our daily web poll and let us know if the addition of a low-cost carrier would make you more likely to fly out of Columbia.