Map: Nonstop international flights from RDU

Raleigh-Durham International Airport has increasingly been living up to the international part of its name.

Why it matters: For decades, RDU was a small regional airport with few nonstop flights out of the country. Many routes required connecting through larger airports in the U.S.

• As the Triangle has grown, so has the airport and its attractiveness to airlines.

RDU now serves 10 international cities with direct flights.

• Cancun, Mexico
• Frankfurt, Germany
• Freeport, Bahamas
• Keflavík, Iceland
• London
• Mexico City
• Montreal
• Panama City
• Paris
• Toronto

What's next: Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration approved a $500 million plan to replace RDU's main runway.

• The new runway will be 600 feet longer, allowing planes to carry more fuel and passengers.
• That could pave the way for more long-distance flights.