26 Largest Airports in the World

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There are over 44,000 airports worldwide.

These mini-cities are also crucial to an area’s growth.

Airports contribute to economic development, providing millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in annual trade and revenue.

Today’s modern airports are more than a place to board a plane.

They have become extraordinary destinations.

Of course, their primary purpose is to facilitate global transportation – moving passengers and various goods essential to the health and growth of cities and countries.

However, some of today’s largest airports also have amusement parks, museums, shopping centers, hotels, and restaurants.

Here are the largest airports on the planet by total square kilometers.

Saudi Arabia‘s King Fahd International Airport is the world’s crown jewel of airports.

It covers an astounding 776 square kilometers.

Second on the list is the country’s King Khalid International Airport, which has over 375 square kilometers of aerospace and retail areas.

Denver International Airport in central Colorado is the United States‘ largest airport by land area, covering 135 square kilometers.

While Malaysia‘s Istanbul Airport, west of the city, is Turkey‘s closest airport to the Black Sea and Bulgaria.

It covers roughly 76 square kilometers of the Arnavutköy district.

The major airport hubs of Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport, and Orlando International Airport, all within the continental United States, are sized at 69, 54, and 53 square kilometers, respectively.

The next largest airports, measured by land mass, are also in the United States.

Washington Dulles International Airport, which serves Washington D.C. and all points south of the nation’s capital, sits on 48 km².

George Bush Intercontinental Airport, north of Houston, Texas, on the Gulf Coast, occupies 44 sq. km.

Immediately behind on the list is the Kansas City International Airport, ringing in at 43 square kilometers.

Southwestern Pennsylvania‘s Pittsburgh International Airport serves as both a civilian and a military airport.

Bounded by Loop IH-376, it covers approximately 40 square kilometers.

China‘s largest airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport, extends roughly 46 square kilometers.

The Shanghai Pudong International Airport, located on the far southeastern tip of mainland China, is a notable 39 km².

Various airports around the world average a respectable 30-40 square kilometers.

Comparatively modest in size but still a good workout for passengers, it includes Egypt‘s Cairo International Airport at 36 sq. km. and the UAE’s 35 square kilometers of Dubai International Airport.

Thailand‘s Suvarnabhumi Airport, often referred to as Bangkok International Airport, is an artistic space that has two runways across 32 km².

Paris‘ Charles de Gaulle Airport is a European gateway.

Its 32 square kilometers serve an estimated 57.5 million travelers annually.

Salt Lake City International Airport, in central Utah, covers roughly 31 km2.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Adolfo Suarez, Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain are tied, measuring 30 square kilometers each.

Canada‘s YEG Edmonton International Airport is the country’s fifth busiest and largest airport.

It sits on 28 km² at an elevation of 2372′ above sea level.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol covers 27 square kilometers and is located just southwest of Amsterdam near Haarlemmermeer.

Another 27-square-kilometer airport is Brisbane International Airport, on Australia‘s east-central coast, serving South Queensland.

Over 23 million passengers pass through annually.

Frankfurt Airport is the country’s largest international airport for both passengers and goods.

The airport, located just south of the city, covers a notable 23 km² in south-central Germany and is served by two train stations and local shuttles.

The 26th largest airport on the list is India‘s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, which is a modest 22 square kilometers.

This civilian aerospace serves the population of nearby Hyderabad, Telangana.