A nonstop flight from Nashville to London? Check.

Nonstop flights from Nashville to Tokyo, Europe and Central America? Those are next on the agenda for Nashville airport and tourism leaders.

And their hope is that a renovated international arrivals facility will help the Nashville lure those flights.

An inadequate international terminal has been a major stumbling block, they say. An immediate renovation of the international arrivals area will be completed in time to accommodate the British Airways' London flight in February.

A brand new international arrivals facility is planned as part of the ambitious $1.2 billion airport expansion and renovation dubbed Vision BNA. Nashville Mayor Megan Barry joined top airport officials on Friday to offered detailed plans to renovate the airport.

"Our facility right now is insufficient for a major international destination airport," Airport Authority vice president for strategic communications and external affairs Tom Jurkovich said.

More:Exclusive first look: Nashville airport unveils designs of dramatic $1.2 billion expansion

In the fiscal year 2017, the Nashville airport had 151,000 passengers on international flights. That number is expected to grow by 90,200 after the British Airways flight arrives, according to data provided by the Airport Authority.

Over time, international travel to Nashville is expected to reach 394,000 annually in 2026, 466,000 in 2031 and 655,000 in 2041, according to the data.

Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. President Butch Spyridon said local tourism leaders are not resting on their laurels after securing the London flight, which was many years in the making.

"You don't put all your eggs in one basket," Spyridon said. "Not in any particular order, I would say Southwest Airlines in the Caribbean should be a priority for us, another European flight, and Asia."

Spyridon said that it's difficult to get your foot in the door with the airline executives to make the sales pitch. He anticipated a successful launch for the London flight showing that Nashville is a more desirable international destination than its population size would indicate.

"Until we get them here, it's a tough sell," he said. "When we get them here, everybody's telling the same story. Everybody's in lockstep. They see the cranes, the vibrancy, the diversity of the economy and it's eye opening to them."

The new facility will have a dedicated arrivals area, a new kitchen and catering facility - which is essential for international flights - and the capacity to accommodate more than one flight.

Jurkovich said the new 288-room hotel is also a key component of luring more international flights.

"That's very much something that international flights look for," he said.

Barry and airport leaders unveiled detailed plans for the airport expansion. In addition to the hotel and international area, the expansion will include more parking, increased number of security lanes and a possible light rail line.

Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and nrau@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tnnaterau.