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Top largest airports in the world: Gateways to global connectivity

In 2024, the largest airports in the world, like King Fahd International in Saudi Arabia and Denver International in the US, continue to shape global air travel. These aviation hubs play a crucial role in connecting countries and fostering economic growth through extensive passenger capacity and modern infrastructure.
Top largest airports in the world: Gateways to global connectivity
In 2024, the largest airports in the world, like King Fahd International in Saudi Arabia and Denver International in the US, continue to shape global air travel. These aviation hubs play a crucial role in connecting countries and fostering economic growth through extensive passenger capacity and modern infrastructure.
Airports serve as vital hubs for global travellers, facilitating both arrivals and departures. In recent times, there has been a remarkable surge in air travel, prompting significant growth within the aviation sector. This growth has spurred the development of expansive, state-of-the-art airports worldwide.
In 2024, the landscape of global air travel continues to be shaped by some of the world's biggest airports.
These sprawling aviation hubs not only serve as critical nodes in the global transportation network but also reflect the economic vitality and technological prowess of their respective countries. The sheer size of these airports, measured in terms of their land area, passenger capacity, and infrastructure, underscores their importance in facilitating international commerce, tourism, and cultural exchange.

List of largest airports in the world 2024


Country
Airport Name
Area (sq km)
Saudi Arabia
King Fahd International airport
776
Saudi Arabia
King Khalid International airport
375
United States
Denver International airport
135
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur International airport
100
Turkey
Istanbul airport
76
United States
Dallas/Fort Worth International airport
69
United States
Southwest Florida International airport
54
United States
Orlando International airport
53
United States
Washington Dulles International airport
48
China
Beijing Daxing International airport
46
United States
George Bush Intercontinental airport
44
United States
Kansas City International airport
43
United States
Pittsburgh International airport
40
China
Shanghai Pudong International airport
39
Egypt
Cairo International airport
36
United Arab Emirates
Dubai International airport
35
Thailand
Suvarnabhumi airport
32
France
Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
32
United States
Salt Lake City International airport
31
United States
Chicago O'Hare International airport
30
Spain
Adolfo Suarez, Madrid-Barajas airport
30
Canada
YEG Edmonton International airport
28
Netherlands
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
27
Australia
Brisbane International airport
27
Germany
Frankfurt airport
23
India
Rajiv Gandhi International airport
22

World's largest airports country-wise


Saudi Arabia


  • King Fahd International airport: Located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, this airport sprawls over an impressive 776 square kilometres, making it the largest airport in the world by land area. It serves as a vital gateway to the eastern region of Saudi Arabia and handles a substantial amount of both domestic and international air traffic.
  • King Khalid International airport: Situated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital city, this airport covers 375 square kilometres. It is a crucial hub for air travel, connecting Riyadh with numerous global destinations and supporting the country's economic activities.

United States


  • Denver International airport: With a sprawling area of 135 square kilometres, Denver International Airport ranks as the largest airport in the United States by land area. It serves as a primary gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the western United States, accommodating millions of passengers annually.

  • Dallas/Fort Worth International airport: Spanning 69 square kilometres, this airport is one of the busiest in the world, located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas. It operates as a major hub for American Airlines, facilitating extensive domestic and international flights.

  • Southwest Florida International airport: Covering 54 square kilometres, this airport serves the Southwest Florida region, including cities like Fort Myers, Naples, and Cape Coral. It plays a significant role in supporting tourism and business activities in the area.

  • Orlando International airport: This major public airport covers 53 square kilometres and is located in Orlando, Florida. It is a key gateway for visitors to the popular tourist destinations of Central Florida, including theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

  • Washington Dulles International airport: Spanning 48 square kilometres, Washington Dulles is located in the Washington metropolitan area and serves as a major international gateway. It is renowned for its iconic main terminal designed by architect Eero Saarinen.

  • George Bush Intercontinental Airport: Situated in Houston, Texas, this airport covers 44 square kilometres and serves as a vital hub for United Airlines. It connects Houston with destinations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

  • Kansas City International airport: Covering 43 square kilometres, this airport serves the Kansas City metropolitan area in Missouri and Kansas. It provides essential air connectivity for both business and leisure travellers in the region.

  • Pittsburgh International airport: Spanning 40 square kilometres, Pittsburgh International Airport is located in Pennsylvania. It plays a significant role in facilitating air travel for residents of Western Pennsylvania and supports the region's economic development.

  • Salt Lake City International airport: Covering 31 square kilometres, this airport is located in Utah and serves as a crucial hub for Delta Air Lines. It provides essential air service to the Salt Lake City metropolitan area and the surrounding region.

  • Chicago O'Hare International airport: As one of the busiest airports in the world, O'Hare covers 30 square kilometres and is located in Chicago, Illinois. It serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights, connecting Chicago with cities worldwide.

Malaysia


  • Kuala Lumpur International airport: Spanning 100 square kilometres, Kuala Lumpur International airport is Malaysia's primary international airport. Located in Sepang, it serves as a major hub for Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, facilitating air travel across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Turkey


  • Istanbul airport: Covering 76 square kilometres, Istanbul airport is one of the largest airports in Europe and a major international hub. Located on the European side of Istanbul, it serves as a gateway between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

China


  • Beijing Daxing International airport: Spanning 46 square kilometres, this state-of-the-art airport is one of the newest and most advanced in China. Located in Beijing, it serves as a major hub for domestic and international flights, supporting China's rapidly growing air travel market.

  • Shanghai Pudong International airport: Covering 39 square kilometres, Shanghai Pudong airport is a key international gateway in China. Situated in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, it facilitates extensive air connectivity with destinations worldwide.

Egypt


  • Cairo International airport: This major airport in Egypt covers 36 square kilometres and serves as the primary international gateway to Cairo, the capital city. It supports both domestic and international air travel, playing a vital role in Egypt's tourism and business sectors.

United Arab Emirates


  • Dubai International airport: Spanning 35 square kilometres, Dubai International airport is one of the busiest airports globally by international passenger traffic. Located in Dubai, it serves as a major hub for Emirates Airlines and connects Dubai with cities across all continents.

Thailand


  • Suvarnabhumi airport: Covering 32 square kilometres, Suvarnabhumi airport is Thailand's largest international airport. Located in Bangkok, it serves as a key gateway for travellers visiting Thailand and facilitates air travel across Southeast Asia and beyond.

France


  • Paris Charles de Gaulle airport: With an area of 32 square kilometres, Charles de Gaulle Airport is France's largest international airport. Located northeast of Paris, it serves as a primary hub for Air France and facilitates air travel to destinations worldwide.

Spain


  • Adolfo Suarez, Madrid-Barajas airport: Covering 30 square kilometres, Madrid-Barajas Airport is Spain's largest and busiest airport. Located in Madrid, it serves as a major hub for Iberia Airlines and connects Spain with cities across Europe, Latin America, and beyond.

Canada


  • YEG Edmonton International airport: Spanning 28 square kilometres, Edmonton International airport serves the Edmonton metropolitan region in Alberta, Canada. It supports air travel for residents of Northern Alberta and facilitates cargo operations.

Netherlands


  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: Covering 27 square kilometres, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in Europe. Located southwest of Amsterdam, it serves as a major hub for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and facilitates extensive air connectivity.

Australia


  • Brisbane International airport: This major airport in Australia covers 27 square kilometres and is located in Brisbane, Queensland. It serves as a primary gateway for international travellers visiting Queensland and supports domestic air travel within Australia.

Germany


  • Frankfurt airport: Spanning 23 square kilometres, Frankfurt airport is Germany's largest airport and one of the busiest in Europe. Located in Frankfurt, it serves as a major hub for Lufthansa and connects Germany with cities worldwide.

India


  • Rajiv Gandhi International airport: Covering 22 square kilometres, Rajiv Gandhi International airport is located in Hyderabad, India. It serves as a major airport in South India, facilitating air travel for residents of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and neighbouring states.

These airports exemplify the critical role played by aviation hubs in facilitating global connectivity, economic development, and cultural exchange. Each airport listed contributes significantly to its country's infrastructure and plays a vital role in supporting both domestic and international air travel.
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