An airport can call itself "International" when it has permanent facilities for customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) processing, allowing it to handle direct flights from other countries. This designation is typically governed by national aviation authorities (like the FAA in the US or the CAA in the UK) in alignment with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. Interestingly, an airport does not necessarily need scheduled international commercial flights to use the title; many smaller airports use it because they have a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) station available for private or chartered international arrivals. The name is often as much a marketing tool as it is a functional description, signaling to businesses and travelers that the airport is capable of global connectivity. To officially hold the ICAO status, the airport must meet specific infrastructure requirements, including runway length, security protocols, and health facilities. In some cases, airports retain the "International" name for prestige even after their only international routes have been discontinued.