What are the top 10 biggest airports in the world? This is one of the frequently asked questions about airports. If you’re also interested in finding out the answer to this question, this article is certainly for you.
According to Worldometers, there are more than 195 countries in the world today. Interestingly, almost all these countries have airports. In case you don’t know, airports are very important in the society we live in today. First, they provide local businesses with access to the international market. Apart from that, airports also generate economic growth by facilitating tourism.
Today, there are over 41,000 airports across the world. Some of these airports are very big while others are small. Interestingly, both types of airports have their strengths and weaknesses. For instance, when it comes to airlines, flights, and restaurant options, bigger airports offer the pick of the litter. The problems here, however, are hectic check-ins and crowded terminals. Of course, this is never the case for smaller airports.
Here’s the top 10 list of the biggest airports in the world
1. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Occupying the first spot on our list of the top 10 biggest airports in the world is Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). This airport is the world’s biggest single-building airport terminal. That’s so because the terminal has an area of 700,000 m2 (7,500,000 sq ft).
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is an international airport in Beijing, China. Its construction reached completion on June 30, 2019. However, the airport didn’t begin any operation until September 26, 2019. According to the 2021 statistics, the total passenger capacity of this airport was 25,051,012.
2. King Fahd International Airport (DMM)
Occupying the second position on our list of the top 10 biggest airports in the world is the King Fahd International Airport (DMM). This airport, also known as Dammam Airport, is an international airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
People consider Fahd International Airport the world’s largest airport because of its land area, which is 776 km². By passenger volume, the airport sits in the second position. As of 2016, the airport’s total number of passengers was over 9,690,000. Its cargo capacity at the time was 138,870 tons.
3. Denver International Airport (DEN)
Denver International Airport (DEN) occupies the third position on our list of the top 10 biggest airports in the world. This international airport is in the Western United States. It primarily serves Colorado, Front Range Urban Corridor, and metropolitan Denver.
With a land area of 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi or 135.7 km2), Denver International Airport is the largest airport in North America. However, it’s the second-largest in the world by land area. This airport is currently sitting on this spot because of its passenger capacity of 58,828,552. Its cargo capacity in 2021 was 330,547 US tons.
4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Sitting on the fourth spot on the list of the top 10 biggest airports in the world is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). This International airport, which opened in September 1973, is in Dallas and Tarrant counties, Texas. It’s currently the hub for top airlines, such as American Airlines, Ameriflight, Southern Airways Express, and UPS Airlines.
As of 2021, the passenger capacity of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport was 62,465,756. With that, it’s the fourth biggest airport in the world. Its cargo capacity in 2021 was 1,006,122.6 tons. By aircraft movements, this airport is the world’s third-busiest airport.
5. Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando International Airport (MCO), opened in 1943, is a public airport located 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando, Florida. The airfield currently serves Greater Orlando, a metropolitan area in the central region of Florida. MCO is currently the hub for Silver Airways.
As of 2021, the airport’s total aircraft operations were 310,117. As for its passenger capacity, it was estimated at 40,351,068. That makes the airport the world’s fifth-largest airport in the world.
6. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Occupying the sixth position on the top 10 list of the biggest airports in the world is the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). This airport is in the Eastern United States, including Loudoun County and Fairfax County.
Opened in 1962, the Washington Dulles International Airport is the hub for top airlines, such as Southern Airways, Express, and United Airlines. The airport’s total aircraft operations as of 2021 were 209,913. Its total passengers at the time were 15,006,955. As for its cargo capacity, it was 225,450 tons.
7. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is an international airport in Houston, Texas, United States. The Airfield currently serves Greater Houston, the fifth-most populous metropolitan area in the US.
As with the Washington Dulles International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is also a hub for United Airlines. The airport’s total passengers as of 2021 were 33,677,118 while its aircraft operations were 395,787.
8. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Up, next on the top 10 list of the biggest airports in the world is the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Opened in October 1999, this airport is about 30 km east of Pudong, Shanghai.
Currently, the Shanghai Pudong International Airport is the hub for many China airlines. Some of them are Air China, China Cargo Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, DHL Aviation, and FedEx Express. As of 2021, the total number of PVG passengers was 32,206,814. The total aircraft movements in the airport at the time were 349,524.
9. Cairo International Airport (CAI)
The Cairo International Airport, located in Heliopolis, is the largest and busiest airport in Africa. Operated by the Cairo Airport Company, this airport has over 14,711,500. Currently, it’s the hub for top Egypt airlines, such as EgyptAir and Nile Air.
10. Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Unofficially known as Bangkok Airport, the Suvarnabhumi Airport is an international airport serving the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Opened in September 2016, the airport is the hub for top airlines in Bangkok. They include Bangkok Airways, K-Mile Air, Thai Airways International, and Thai Smile. As of 2019, the airport’s total passengers were 65,424,564. Its aircraft movements were 380,052; it recently increased by 2.9%.
