Biggest Airports in the World: Top 11 Aviation Giants

The biggest airports in the world are defined by land scale and long-term spatial planning. These airports occupy vast tracts of land and influence how cities and regions plan for future growth.

This article ranks the world’s biggest airports by land area, featuring the 11 largest airfields on the planet. Let’s look at the massive global air hubs in 2026, whose vast footprints reveal how countries plan for growth decades in advance.

Note: Rankings are based strictly on total land area, not passenger traffic or flight movements. Passenger figures are included for context and reflect the latest available annual data.

1. King Fahd International Airport: Biggest Airport in the World

At 299.6 square miles, the King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the biggest airport in the world by land area. Its footprint is so large that it exceeds the total area of many major cities. Large portions of the site remain open, with space reserved for future terminals and industrial expansion.

• Location: Dammam, Saudi Arabia
• Land area: 299.6 sq mi (78,000 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 12 million (2024)
• Aircraft movements: 446,000 flights (2024)
• Cargo volume: 606,000 metric tons
• Number of runways: 2
• Number of terminals: 1 main passenger terminal with 2 supporting facilities
• Destinations served: 56 destinations in 22 countries
• Construction period: 1976-1999 (23 years)

The King Fahd International Airport was planned as a long-term aviation reserve. Aircraft operations occupy only a fraction of the total land.

This planning philosophy also explains why the DMM handles fewer passengers than many smaller airports. As of 2026, no airport in the world matches the sheer physical scale of King Fahd International Airport.

2. Denver International Airport: North America’s Largest Aviation Footprint

The Denver International Airport (DIA) in Colorado, United States, extends across 53.09 square miles and is the second-largest airport in the world. The airfield stretches across open plains east of the city. The land area of the DIA is more than double that of Manhattan.

• Location: Denver, United States
• Land area: 53.09 sq mi (13,700 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 82.4 million (2025)
• Aircraft movements: 694,900 flights (2024)
• Cargo volume: 366,000 metric tons
• Number of runways: 6
• Number of terminals: 1 main terminal with multiple concourses
• Destinations served: 234 destinations in 19 countries
• Construction period: 1989-1995 (6 years)

The Denver International Airport has become the largest domestic hub in the United States by nonstop destinations. Airline investment and its central location have since supported that growth. Its growth has focused on route expansion rather than land use.

On February 6, 2026, the DIA hosted the annual DEN Puppy Bowl inside the Jeppesen Terminal. The event turned part of the sprawling main terminal into a vibrant temporary adoption space.

3. Kuala Lumpur International Airport: Vast Aviation Landscape in Southeast Asia

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) in Selangor, Malaysia, stretches 39 square miles and stands as one of Southeast Asia’s largest aviation sites. The airport sits far from dense urban areas. This location allowed planners to build parallel runways and large terminal zones.

• Location: Selangor, Malaysia
• Land area: 39 sq mi (10,000 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 57.1 million (2025)
• Aircraft movements: 819,000 flights (2023)
• Cargo volume: 794,900 metric tons
• Number of runways: 3
• Number of terminals: 2 main terminals with satellite facilities
• Destinations served: 146 destinations in 39 countries
• Construction period: 1993-1998 (5 years)

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is now the most connected airport in Southeast Asia. It offers one of the region’s widest route networks. KUL also ranks as the second-busiest airport in Southeast Asia by passenger traffic.

For many travelers, this large airport also functions as a practical transfer hub and a starting point for multi-country travel across Southeast Asia.

4. Istanbul Airport: Transcontinental Hub Built on Extraordinary Scale

The Istanbul Airport (IST) in Türkiye was built on 29.5 square miles to serve traffic moving between Europe and Asia. Often branded as iGA Istanbul Airport, its vast single-roof terminal concentrates passenger movement under one structure. The terminal ranks among the largest airports in Europe.

• Location: Istanbul, Türkiye
• Land area: 29.5 sq mi (7,650 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 84 million (2025)
• Aircraft movements: 547,000 flights (2025)
• Cargo volume: 5.5 million metric tons
• Number of runways: 5 (with triple-runway operations)
• Number of terminals: 1 integrated terminal under a single roof
• Destinations served: 330 destinations in 120 countries
• Construction period: 2014-2018 (4 years)

The Istanbul Airport has ranked as Europe’s busiest airport by daily flights, ahead of hubs such as London Heathrow Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle. It is also the first airport in Europe to operate three independent runways simultaneously. Only Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in the United States shares this capability.

5. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: One of the World’s Most Extensive Airfields

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas, United States, covers 26.88 square miles and is the second-largest airport in the U.S. Multiple terminals, runways, and internal transport systems function together like an airport city. This layout allows traffic to flow across seven runways without pressure on surrounding communities.

• Location: Texas, United States
• Land area: 26.88 sq mi (6,970 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 88 million (2024)
• Aircraft movements: 740,000 flights (2024)
• Cargo volume: 1 million metric tons
• Number of runways: 7
• Number of terminals: 5 passenger terminals linked by an internal transit system
• Destinations served: 272 destinations in 79 countries
• Construction period: 1969-1974 (5 years)

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the world’s largest and North America’s first carbon-neutral airport, setting a benchmark for large-scale aviation.

Long-term investment through the DFW Forward program continues to modernize terminals, airside systems, and passenger services. These investments strengthen DFW’s operations and support continued passenger growth.

6. Washington Dulles International Airport: Sprawling Gateway to the U.S. Capital

The Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), often called Dulles, in Virginia, United States, covers 18.75 square miles and serves as a long-haul gateway for Washington, D.C. Its remote setting allowed planners to prioritize airside efficiency over proximity. The layout supports wide-body aircraft and long-distance international routes.

• Location: Northern Virginia, United States
• Land area: 20.31 sq mi (5,260 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 27 million (2024)
• Aircraft movements: 600,000 flights (2024)
• Cargo volume: 300,000 metric tons
• Number of runways: 4
• Number of terminals: 1 main terminal with midfield concourses
• Destinations served: 163 destinations in 48 countries
• Construction period: 1958-1962 (4 years)

Dulles plays a central role in international travel for the U.S. capital. Transatlantic routes account for much of its long-haul traffic. In February 2026, it drew national attention after reports linked its name to a federal infrastructure funding dispute. Despite the headlines, IAD remains a primary gateway to the U.S. capital.

7. Beijing Daxing International Airport: Starfish-Shaped Terminal Redefining Mega-Hubs

The Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) in China occupies 18.1 square miles and features the world’s largest airport terminal at 7.5 million square feet. Its terminal, often called the “Starfish,” is roughly the size of 98 soccer fields and stands out for its five concourses that extend from a central hub.

• Location: Beijing, China
• Land area: 18.1 sq mi (4,700 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 50 million (2025)
• Aircraft movements: 322,500 flights (2025)
• Cargo volume: 205,000 metric tons
• Number of runways: 4 civilian runways (plus 1 military runway)
• Number of terminals: Single terminal with five radiating concourses
• Destinations served: 180 destinations in 25 countries
• Construction period: 2014-2019 (5 years)

The Beijing Daxing International Airport was built to handle northern China’s growing travel demand and to ease congestion at the capital’s older hub. The five-arm layout keeps passenger flow organized and reduces transfer times. As routes expand across Asia and intercontinental markets, PKX continues to grow into one of the region’s leading mega-hubs.

8. Orlando International Airport: Massive Airport Built for Volume

The Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida, United States, spans 20.78 square miles to support year-round tourist travel. The airport handles steady traffic linked to theme parks, cruise ports, and conventions. MCO’s footprint is larger than the entire city of Miami Beach.

• Location: Orlando, Florida, United States
• Land area: 18.13 sq mi (4,698 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 57 million (2024)
• Aircraft movements: 400,000 flights (2024)
• Cargo volume: 223,000 metric tons
• Number of runways: 4
• Number of terminals: 3 passenger terminals with integrated facilities
• Destinations served: 172 destinations in 29 countries
• Construction period: 1975-1981 (6 years)

The Orlando International Airport ranks among the busiest airports in the United States. Nonstop routes connect MCO to more than 160 destinations. It is also the only U.S. airport with a high-speed rail station. The Brightline Orlando Station links MCO to Miami and other cities along Florida’s east coast.

9. George Bush Intercontinental Airport: Houston’s Expansive Long-Haul Gateway

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, spans 17.19 square miles and anchors the region’s international air traffic. Wide runway spacing allows multiple long-haul departures within short intervals. Five terminals handle traffic across several continents. The airport’s size helps absorb rising international traffic more efficiently.

• Location: Houston, Texas, United States
• Land area: 17.19 sq mi (4,450 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 48 million (2024)
• Aircraft movements: 447,000 flights (2024)
• Cargo volume: 552,300 metric tons
• Number of runways: 5
• Number of terminals: 5 passenger terminals with an internal people-mover and underground train
• Destinations served: 194 destinations in 38 countries
• Construction period: 1963-1969 (6 years)

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport connects Houston directly to energy markets and financial centers across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

In recent years, this large airport has been part of a multi-billion-dollar expansion program across Houston’s airport system. These upgrades improve capacity and efficiency in passenger processing.

10. Shanghai Pudong International Airport: Aviation Powerhouse Spread Across the Delta

The Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) in China covers 15.40 square miles near the Yangtze River delta. It ranks as the second-busiest cargo airport in the world, just behind Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The airport handles heavy passenger traffic alongside vast freight volumes. Its cargo throughput alone exceeds that of many national airports.

• Location: Shanghai, China
• Land area: 15.40 sq mi (4,046 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 76.8 million (2025)
• Aircraft movements: 528,100 flights (2025)
• Cargo volume: 4 million metric tons
• Number of runways: 4
• Number of terminals: 2 main passenger terminals with satellite concourses
• Destinations served: 251 destinations in 48 countries
• Construction period: 1997-1999 (2 years)

During China’s 2025 National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Shanghai Pudong International Airport processed more than 2 million passengers in just eight days. That figure surpassed Hongqiao Airport during the same period. Pudong helped push Shanghai’s annual passenger traffic past 135 million, placing it among the world’s busiest airports.

11. Cairo International Airport: Africa’s Largest Airport by Land Area

The Cairo International Airport (CAI) occupies 14 square miles in central Cairo, Egypt, making it Africa’s largest airport by land area. Over time, new terminals and facilities have been layered onto its original footprint to keep pace with population growth. The airport’s position mirrors Cairo’s long role as a meeting point for continents and cultures.

• Location: Cairo, Egypt
• Land area: 14 sq mi (3,700 ha)
• Annual passenger traffic: 30.9 million (2025)
• Aircraft movements: 224,303 flights (2025)
• Cargo volume: 340,000 metric tons
• Number of runways: 3
• Number of terminals: 3 main passenger terminals
• Destinations served: 123 destinations in 59 countries
• Construction period: 1957-1963 (6 years)

The Cairo International Airport remains one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, linking the continent with Europe, the Gulf, and Asia. Recent terminal upgrades have focused on improving passenger flow and handling rising traffic. Today, the CAI continues to serve as Egypt’s main gateway to the world.

What the World’s Biggest Airports Tell Us About the Future of Aviation

The world’s biggest airports reflect long-term land planning and expanding aviation networks. Several large projects already in development, including the Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International (DWC), could challenge today’s biggest as air networks continue to expand.

These large sites give airports the space to diversify and adapt over time. Airports expand by adding runways, terminals, cargo zones, and rail links. The biggest airports in the world reveal how global aviation is being redefined for decades ahead.