Airports are vital gateways, connecting us to different parts of the world. These aviation hubs serve the necessary facilities for aircraft, manage cargo logistics, and entertain the needs of millions of travelers every year. In 2024, the number of passengers increased, resulting in overcrowded airports. As passenger numbers continue to surge in 2024, airports face overcrowding. Many countries have already expanded their airports; some are now growing by constructing big airports with new terminals and runways to accommodate many passengers. This blog will contain information about the largest airports in the world.
List of 10 World’s Largest Airports
The following are the 10 largest airports in the world:
- King Fahd International Airport (DMM)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
- Cairo International Airport (CAI)
1) King Fahd International Airport (DMM)
King Fahd International Airport which is also known as the Dammam International Airport, is located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It is the world’s largest airport by area which is 776 square kilometres. The airport has been used for commercial operations since 1999. The commercial operations at the King Fahd International Airport had halted once throughout history during the period of COVID-19. The airport serves as an aviation hub for Saudi Airlines, Flynas, and Flyadeal.
The airport serves two 4 kilometers long runways and consists of three terminal buildings: Aramco employees use the Aramco Terminal to board Saudi Aramco Aviation flights, the Passenger Terminal serves mainstream passengers, and the Royal Terminal is reserved for use by the Saudi Royal family. The busiest route between Dammam and another city is to and from Dubai, with more than 70 weekly flights.
2) Denver International Airport (DEN)
Denver International Airport (DEN) is another expansive international airport located in the Western United States, primarily presenting Colorado, metropolitan Denver, and the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. It started operation in 1995. DEN is the second-largest airport in the world and the largest within the United States. It covers an area of 137 square kilometers.
The airport holds the longest runway for public usage in North America, measuring a remarkable 16,000 feet or 4,800 meters, making it the seventh longest runway in the world. DEN is the home base for Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines, it also functions as a hub for United Airlines, Denver Air Connection, and Southern Airways Express. In late 2022, Denver International Airport completed a capacity expansion project that added 39 new gates bringing the total number of gates to 90 to the mountain hub.
3) Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is the new airport that started operation in 2019. It is the largest airport in Turkey, located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city of Istanbul. IST is the third largest airport in the world, covering 76 square kilometers. In 2023, the airport served more than 76 million passengers, making it the second-busiest airport in Europe after Heathrow Airport. It is the hub for Turkish Airlines and facilitates up to 114 countries. The new Istanbul airport is Turkey‘s largest infrastructure project.
The airport currently has one terminal managing both domestic and international flights. The airport has 5 runways with impressive runway infrastructure. This capacity allows a large number of flights at a time. It is expected to be completely built by 2025 with the capacity of managing 200 million travelers annually.
4) Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is based in Taxes. It has been operational since 1973. The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport serves as an aviation hub for many airlines including Southern Airways Express, Ameriflight, American Airlines, and United Parcel Services (UPS) Airlines. It covers 69.63 square kilometers area. Passengers have to walk miles to reach the desired gate.
There are five terminals and 168 gates at Dallas Airport. Terminal A is exclusively used by American Airlines, while the other terminals entertain a mix of domestic and international flights. Dallas Airport is unique as it is the only airport with four operational paved runways exceeding 4,000 meters in length. Multiple prominent lounges include Capital One Lounge, Delta Sky Club, American Airlines Flagship First Lounge, United Club, Admiral Clubs, Centurion Lounge, and the Club.
5) Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando International Airport (MCO), based in Orlando, Florida, is the fifth largest airport in the world covering 52 square kilometers. It became operational in 1940. It serves as an aviation hub for various airlines including Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Further, it is also a hub for Silver Airways and JetBlue. Orlando Airport is the busiest airport in the state and the 7th busiest airport in the United States.
Before 1975, the airport was the Air Force Base named McCoy Air Force Base (MCO), later it became one of the largest commercial airports. It has mainly three terminals; A, B, and C. Terminals A and B both facilitate domestic and international flights, while Terminal C facilitates non-US airlines and JetBlue flights.
6) Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport is the sixth largest airport in the world and covers 47 square kilometers area. It is also known as Dulles International Airport operating since 1962. It is ranked as the fourth largest airport in the United States. It is mainly an aviation hub for United Airlines, further, it also facilitates Southern Airways Express.
There are a total of 4 runways at the Dulles International Airport. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) manages the airport and acts as the primary international gateway for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It has three primary passenger terminals and is known for its distinctive design, which is a main terminal building connected to the concourses by mobile lounges.
7) Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Beijing Daxing International Airport is one of the 10 largest airports in the world covering 47 square kilometers area. Beijing New Airport and the second-largest airport in Beijing. It started functioning in 2019 and is an aviation hub for China Southern Airlines, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines. Daxing airport is situated at the frontier between Langfang and Beijing. It is expected to serve the needs of Beijing and the neighboring areas such as Tianjin and Hebei. The airport has a single terminal and is equipped with four runways. The airport has an impressive shape for which it has been given the nickname, “Starfish”.
8) George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is originally known as Houston Intercontinental Airport. It is the eighth largest airport in the world covering 44 square kilometers area. It is located in Houston, Texas, and started its operation in 1969. The airport is an aviation hub for United Airlines and Spirit Airlines. It ranks as the second busiest airport in Texas. It is facilitating domestic and international flights to the 5 continents. George Bush Airport is equipped with five runways and five terminals designated as A, B, C, D, and E. These terminals are facilitating domestic and international flights collectively.
9) Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located in Shanghai China. It ranks among the 10 largest airports in the world covering 39 square kilometers. The airport is a major aviation hub for Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Shanghai Airlines. It serves both domestic and international flights. The Pudong Airport is managed by the Shanghai Airport Authority.
The airport constitutes two main passenger terminals and four operational parallel runways. There is an additional terminal, a third passenger terminal was opened in 2021, along with two additional runways and a satellite terminal. Shanghai Pudong Airport is the busiest international airport in China and half of its traffic is international.
10) Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Cairo International Airport located in Heliopolis, is the largest and busiest airport in Egypt. It ranks among the 10 largest airports in the world. It covers 36 square kilometers of area. It is the busiest airport in Africa. It serves as an aviation hub for Air Cairo, Egyptair, Nile Air, and Air Arabia. The airport has four runways and four terminals. Out of which, three terminals are utilized for both domestic and international flights. The fourth terminal was established in 2011 i.e., Seasonal Flight Terminal (SFT) is particularly used during Pilgrim season to alleviate the operational pressures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all of these above-mentioned largest airports are the best international airports in providing services and facilities to domestic and international passengers. They offer plenty of services to make your travel experience worthy and comfortable. These airports provide more than a transit route, they are the desired destinations themselves. Airports are the most vital places that play an important role in connecting people, driving economic growth, and promoting cultures. Through this blog, you can explore which transit airport may be more relevant to your desired travel route.
FAQs
What Is the World’s Largest Airport?
Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport is the largest in the world by area which is 776 square kilometres.
What Is the World’s Busiest Airport?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ranks among the busiest in the world serving 104.7 million passengers.
Which Country Has the Highest Airports?
The United States of America (USA) has the highest number of airports with over 13,513 in 2023.
Is Saudi Airport Bigger Than Mumbai City?
Yes, the Saudi Airport known as the King Fahd Aiport is bigger than the city of Mumbai, India.
Which Country Has the Longest Runway?
China’s Qamdo Bamda Airport paved the longest runway which is 18,045 feet long.
