Planning your next great adventure? Explore the colossal hubs that make air travel a breeze, featuring the world's large...
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Airports are fundamental to modern-day travel, offering the opportunity for passengers and trade alike to enter faraway destinations in a relatively short space of time. The immense logistics that air travel requires means that airports are made up of multiple terminals, buildings, runways, and landing areas, often taking up a huge amount of space. However, some are considerably bigger than others. Take a look below at the world’s 21 largest airports, listed in descending order by surface area. How many of these airports have you visited?
By far the world’s largest airport, King Fahd International Airport is situated in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It is nearly six times the size of the next biggest airport, Denver International Airport in the USA.
It is so large, in fact, that it has a greater surface area than its neighboring country, Bahrain. The airport features multiple designated terminals, including a huge 177,000 square foot royal terminal, reserved for members of the royal family, senior government officials, and other foreign officials.
Additionally, it has a mosque built directly on top of the gigantic car park, which is iconic in aerial photographs of the airport.
The second largest airport in the world is Denver International Airport, making it the largest airport in the USA. It boasts awards for the Best Run Airport from TIME magazine, alongside the longest public-use runway in the US.
Following Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport takes the place as the third largest airport in the world and the second largest in the USA.
Taking up 6,963 hectares of space, it is just over half the size of Denver International Airport, truly highlighting the size of both Denver International Airport and King Fahd International Airport at the top two spots.
Dallas/Fort Worth is known as one of the busiest airports in the world.
Another hugely busy airport is Orlando International, holding the title for the busiest airport in Florida and a strong contender for the busiest airport in the USA.
It primarily serves the Orlando district in central Florida, which attracts a huge number of visitors every year, thanks to its famous theme parks.
Named after the Secretary of State under President Eisenhower, John Foster Dulles, this sizable airport is situated in Virginia but serves the area around Washington D.C.
It is home to 135 gates and flies to over 100 destinations.
Another airport in Houston, Texas, is the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Settling at three spots below its counterpart, Dallas/Fort Worth, its impressive 4,451 hectares serves the greater metropolitan area of Houston.
It was renamed after President George W. Bush and is the 47th busiest airport in the world, as well as the 14th busiest in the United States.
One of two main airports in Shanghai and a fundamental part of the East Asian aviation hub, the Shanghai Pudong International Airport covers 3,988 hectares.
It is the main hub for China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines.
Cairo International Airport is the busiest airport in Egypt and the main aviation hub for EgyptAir, EgyptAir Express, Nile Air, and several other airlines.
It is the second busiest airport in Africa, beaten only by South Africa’s main airport in Johannesburg.
This airport is one of the largest in Southeast Asia and the 17th busiest airport in the world. It handled a huge 60 million passengers in 2017 and has proven to be a hugely popular place for people to take and upload pictures to social media.
It is the main hub for Thai Airways International, Thai Smile Airways, and Bangkok Airlines.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as Roissy Airport, is the largest international airport in France and Europe, and the second busiest airport in Europe.
It’s located to the northeast of Paris and is named after a previous President of France, Charles de Gaulle.
Just behind Charles de Gaulle Airport in France, Madrid Barajas Airport is the second largest airport in Europe and serves the areas surrounding the Spanish capital.
In 2018, 57.9 million passengers used the airport, making it the busiest airport in Spain and Europe’s sixth busiest.
O’Hare International Airport is located to the northwest of Chicago, Illinois, and has non-stop flights to 228 destinations around the world.
It is unusual in that it serves more than one of the three major international airlines, being home to both United Airlines and American Airlines. Since its opening in 1944, it has seen some modernizations in recent years, particularly to the airfield.
Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah is the closest commercial airport for more than 2.5 million people and provides a smooth 30-minute driving distance to over 1.3 million jobs.
It’s a major gateway to the Intermountain West region of the United States and has just under 400 airline departures each day.
Commonly referred to as Schiphol Airport, this airport is the primary international airport for The Netherlands, located around 9 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam.
It’s an extremely busy airport, taking the title of the 3rd busiest airport in Europe in terms of the number of passengers using it each year. In 2017, a huge total of 68.5 million passengers traveled through the airport.
Unusually, it only has one singular terminal, but it is separated into three separate departure halls.
With four runways and two passenger terminals, this major international airport in Germany has the capacity to be used by 65 million passengers per year.
It is the fourth busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger traffic and is a hub for Lufthansa and associated airlines, along with Condor and AeroLogic.
Toronto Pearson International Airport, strategically located in Toronto, stands as Canada's primary international gateway and its largest airport in terms of land and operations.
Covering an expansive 2,800 hectares, this airport is not just an aviation hub but a significant employer in the region, reflecting the city's bustling economic activity and its central role in North American aviation.
Nestled in the heart of India's capital, Delhi, the Indira Gandhi International Airport sprawls across approximately 2,700 hectares.
Named after the nation's former prime minister, this airport symbolizes India's rapid modernization and growth in the aviation sector. It serves as a significant hub for flights across Asia, merging traditional Indian aesthetics with state-of-the-art facilities.
Haneda Airport, one of Tokyo's iconic airports, stretches over about 2,630 hectares, reinforcing Japan's reputation for expansive and efficient infrastructural prowess.
Serving the Greater Tokyo Area, Haneda offers both domestic and international flights, acting as a crucial entry and exit point for Japan's sprawling metropolis. With its punctual services and modern amenities, it remains a testament to Japan's dedication to perfection and functionality in aviation.
Though now closed for commercial flights, Istanbul's Atatürk Airport still remains etched in the memories of many travelers.
Covering a vast 2,500 hectares, it once served as a pivotal hub connecting Europe and Asia. Named after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, the airport's size and previous bustling operations remain a testament to Istanbul's historic role as a bridge between two continents.
Sitting in the heart of Bavaria, Munich Airport spans a sizeable 2,500 hectares and acts as Germany's second busiest airport.
Renowned for its efficiency, modern architecture, and passenger-friendly amenities, it solidifies Germany's position in the European and global aviation network. The airport seamlessly blends technological advancements with passenger comfort, making it a favorite for travelers across the world.
Located in the picturesque city of Sydney, Kingsford Smith Airport occupies roughly 2,200 hectares.
As Australia's premier international gateway, it offers a unique blend of top-notch facilities with panoramic views of Australia's coastline. Serving a diverse range of Pacific routes, this airport stands as a testament to Australia's robust aviation sector and its connection with the global community.
Airports:
In conclusion, the immense scale of the world's largest airports is a testament to the pivotal role aviation plays in our globalized society.
These vast expanses not only facilitate the movement of millions of passengers annually but also stand as symbols of human ingenuity, architectural brilliance, and our relentless pursuit of connectivity.
As the world continues to grow smaller through the wings of aviation, these airports, with their sprawling landscapes and state-of-the-art facilities, will undoubtedly remain at the heart of our interconnected world.
They are not just transport hubs but gateways to countless experiences, cultures, and opportunities.
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