There can be international airports that only have international flights or can serve as a base for what is called a limited international airport. This is when an airport handles international flights but, due to its location or size, becomes restricted to short-haul flights.

Interestingly, the answer is no. In 2026, the designation "International" in an airport's name refers to its capability and the presence of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities, not necessarily its current flight schedule. For example, some smaller US airports like Bozeman Yellowstone International may primarily serve domestic routes for most of the year, only handling occasional private international charters or seasonal flights to Canada or Mexico. Conversely, some airports without "International" in their name might still handle such flights. To maintain the "International" status in 2026, an airport must meet specific regulatory standards regarding security, health, and customs processing. For a traveler, this means you should never assume a direct flight exists just because the word "International" is on the terminal; always check the 2026 route map to see where the planes actually go before booking your ground transport.