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.