Map: Nonstop international flights from RDU

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

Driving the news: On Tuesday, RDU announced it will add a new direct Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt, Germany next year.

• Last August it resumed a nonstop flight to Paris that was halted during the pandemic.
• And in March, Icelandair turned its seasonal route from RDU into a year-round one.

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.

What's next: Earlier this month, 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.