Top 10 Largest Airports in the World

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located in the eastern part of Shanghai. Opened in 1999, it serves international flights, and its second runway was inaugurated on March 17, 2005. A second passenger terminal is under construction, with completion expected in 2007. When fully developed, the airport will have four terminals and four parallel runways, with an annual capacity of 80 million passengers. This airport is a major hub for China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines and also serves as a key international hub for Air China. Additionally, it is a base for Juneyao Airlines and Spring Airlines, as well as a major Asia-Pacific hub for UPS and DHL. The DHL hub, launched in July 2012, is considered the largest express logistics center in Asia. Pudong Airport operates two main passenger terminals situated on either side of three parallel runways. A third terminal and additional runways are planned, which will increase the airport's capacity to 60-80 million passengers annually and handle 6 million tons of cargo.

Pudong Airport has rapidly developed into a key center for both passenger and cargo transport. In 2010, it processed 3.227 million tons of cargo, making it the third-busiest airport in the world by cargo volume. Passenger traffic reached 40.57 million in 2010, making it the third-busiest airport in mainland China and the 20th busiest in the world. As of December 2011, Pudong was served by 87 airlines offering flights to 194 destinations. The airport is well connected to the city via Metro Line 2 and the Shanghai Maglev train. Operating 24 hours a day, it served over 60 million passengers in 2015. Pudong Airport is a rapidly growing aviation hub, reflecting the booming economic power of China.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest international airport in France and one of the key aviation hubs globally. Named after Charles de Gaulle (1890 - 1970), the leader of the Free French Forces, founder of the Fifth Republic, and French President from 1959 to 1969, this airport is located 25 kilometers northeast of Paris. It serves as the main transit hub for Air France and the European base for Delta Air Lines. In 2013, the airport handled 62,052,917 passengers across 497,763 flights, ranking it as the eighth busiest airport worldwide and the second busiest in Europe by passenger numbers. It was also the tenth busiest airport globally and the second busiest in Europe (after London Heathrow) based on flight movements.

Regarding cargo, it ranks twelfth in the world and second in Europe (after Frankfurt) with 2,150,950 tons of freight handled in 2012. Known also as Roissy Airport, it is not only France’s primary aviation hub but also a major international center. In 2015, the airport served over 65 million passengers, making it the second busiest airport in Europe, behind London Heathrow. Currently, there are three active terminals, with a fourth terminal set for construction by 2025, increasing the airport’s capacity to 80 million passengers annually.

Madrid Barajas International Airport, located in the heart of Madrid, is Spain’s primary gateway for international flights. Opened in 1928, it has become one of Europe’s most significant aviation hubs. This airport serves as the main entry point to Spain from the Iberian Peninsula to Europe and the world, especially to the Americas. In 2010, it handled 49.8 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in Spain, and in 2009, it ranked as the 11th busiest airport globally and the 4th busiest in Europe. The airport is situated within Madrid's city limits, just 9 km (5.6 miles) from the city’s financial center and 13 km (8.1 miles) northeast of the Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s historical heart. The airport is named after the Barajas district.

Madrid Barajas Airport is located to the northeast of Madrid’s center and continues to grow as Spain’s leading aviation hub, with plans to solidify its position as one of Europe’s most important airports. In 2015, Madrid Barajas served nearly 47 million passengers. In addition to passenger traffic, the number of flights, both commercial and cargo, has been steadily increasing year by year. The airport boasts modern, striking designs, with Terminal 4 even winning the prestigious Stirling Prize, an architectural honor from the UK.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport, also known as New Bangkok International Airport, replaced the old Don Mueang International Airport as the main airport of Bangkok, Thailand. Located in Racha Thewa, in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan, it sits 25 kilometers east of downtown Bangkok. This airport is ranked 18th among the busiest airports in the world. Spanning 32.8 square kilometers (about 8,000 acres), it serves over 45 million passengers annually, with future plans to increase its capacity to 150 million passengers per year. After several delays in terminal construction, the airport’s first flight took place on September 15, 2006, and it officially opened on September 28, 2006. Suvarnabhumi is slightly smaller than Hong Kong International Airport's terminal but larger than Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. In 2012, it handled 53 million passengers.

Currently, Suvarnabhumi has a capacity of 45 million passengers per year, with plans to increase to 150 million. Its 32.8 km² area houses the world’s tallest air traffic control tower (132.2 meters) and the largest single-terminal building (563,000 m²), which, while smaller than Hong Kong International’s terminal (570,000 m²), is still larger than Incheon Airport (496,000 m²). In 2017, it served 41,210,081 passengers, ranking 18th globally among the busiest airports.

O'Hare International Airport is located in Chicago, Illinois, 27 kilometers northwest of the Chicago Loop. It serves as a major hub for United Airlines and the second-largest hub for American Airlines. Managed by the Chicago Department of Aviation, O'Hare was the busiest airport in the world in terms of aircraft takeoffs and landings until 2005. It operates approximately 60 international routes. In 2005, O'Hare ranked fourth in the U.S. for international passengers, following John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Los Angeles International, and Miami International airports. O'Hare was named North America's best airport in 2003 by the readers of U.S. Edition of Business Traveler Magazine, remaining in the top tier for six consecutive years.

Chicago O'Hare is located in the northwest of Chicago, Illinois, and is the second-largest hub for two of the major U.S. airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines. In 2014, O'Hare was ranked the busiest airport in the world based on the number of takeoffs and landings. It also earned the title of 'Best Airport in the U.S.' for ten consecutive years. However, in recent times, O'Hare has faced criticism for high flight delays and cancellations, mainly due to the heavy traffic and tight schedules at the airport.

Cairo International Airport serves as Egypt’s primary airport, located 15 kilometers northeast of downtown Cairo. It features three main terminals for commercial flights and one dedicated terminal for private aircraft. With a capacity to handle around 14 million passengers annually, the airport is undergoing major expansions, supported by the World Bank, to accommodate up to 26 million passengers per year. Terminal 1, built in 1945, was initially a U.S. military base during World War II. After the war, it was converted into a civilian airport. In 1963, Cairo International replaced the older Heliopolis Airport. The airport consists of Boarding Area 1, International Terminal 3, and Boarding Area 4, which serves private and non-commercial flights. Recently, the Civil Aviation Authority demolished the old domestic terminal (Terminal 3) to build a new international terminal.

Terminal 2, inaugurated in 1986, was initially designed to serve European, Far Eastern, Gulf, and Sub-Saharan African airlines. After 9/11, flights to the U.S. and Canada, including EgyptAir's services, were moved to Terminal 2. EgyptAir later shifted its North American flights back to Terminal 1 following upgrades. The terminals are adjacent to one another, with a duty-free shopping area in the transit zone. However, Terminal 2’s limited space has caused congestion, particularly when more than three flights are checked in at the same time, or two flights arrive at once. Due to the growing traffic and space limitations of Terminal 2, Terminal 3 was built and opened in March 2008. Terminal 3, with a total area of 164,000 square meters, has three levels and is connected to Terminal 2. It features three gates capable of handling Airbus A380 aircraft.

Beijing Capital International Airport is located approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the city center. It first opened its doors in 1958 and was expanded significantly in 1999 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The new Terminal 2 was inaugurated on November 11 of that year. On September 20, 2004, a new Terminal 1 was opened to accommodate several airlines, including China Southern Airlines, which launched both domestic and international flights from Beijing. Another runway was opened on October 29, 2007, to alleviate congestion on the two existing runways. At the time of its opening, Terminal 2 was the largest man-made structure in the world by area, symbolizing Beijing's rapid growth and development as a key city in China.

The expansion was largely funded by a ¥30 billion loan from Japan and a €500 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). This loan was the largest ever granted by the EIB in Asia, secured during a China-EU summit in September 2005. After numerous upgrades and expansions, including a major 2008 renovation for the Olympic Games with an investment of $625 million, Beijing International Airport became the busiest airport in Asia and the second busiest in the world in terms of passenger traffic. The airport's striking architecture and cutting-edge facilities make it stand out, with a dragon-shaped design visible from above, symbolizing a welcoming embrace to travelers entering China. Various parts of the terminal are designed to capture the changing natural light throughout the day.

King Fahd International Airport is located 20 kilometers northwest of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This airport is the largest in the world by area, covering 780 square kilometers, followed by Montréal-Mirabel and Denver International Airports. The airport's infrastructure was completed by the end of 1990 and was initially used by allied forces during the early stages of the Gulf War in 1991. On November 28, 1999, the Saudi Arabian Civil Aviation Authority officially opened King Fahd International Airport for commercial use, with airlines from Dhahran airport moving to the new facility. This airport serves the entire Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, including the expanding urban areas of Dammam, Dhahran, Al Khobar, Qatif, and Ras Tanura. It also serves as the third main hub for Saudi Arabian Airlines and Sama Airlines.

King Fahd International Airport officially began operations in 1999 and has since become the major aviation hub of Saudi Arabia. The terminal is a six-story building with separate departure and arrival gates, along with a special terminal for the royal family and dignitaries. The airport is known for its extensive duty-free shopping options and passenger amenities, including restaurants, cafes, banks, a hotel, and even a mosque. The terminal has three floors dedicated to check-in services: the third floor handles arrivals, the sixth floor manages departures, and the fourth floor connects passengers to the aircraft. Two mezzanine floors provide additional services, with the top floor hosting administrative functions. The passenger terminal spans 327,000 square meters, with 247,500 square meters completed in the first phase, including 11 of the 31 designed boarding bridges, serving 15 gates. The terminal houses 66 check-in counters for Saudi Arabian Airlines, 44 counters for international carriers, and additional counters for customs procedures.

Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the United States, located in Denver, Colorado. It serves flights to 187 destinations across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Denver is also the only airport in the U.S. certified with ISO 14001 environmental management standards and has been recognized by several prestigious magazines as the best airport in North America. Architecturally, Denver stands out as the 'greenest' airport in the U.S., using solar power technologies. Various art installations are displayed along the walkways connecting the terminals to the runways. In 2005, it served 43,387,513 passengers, ranking 11th globally. Covering 53 square miles (137.26 km2), it was named North America's best airport by Business Traveler Magazine in 2005. By 2008, it had become the 9th largest commercial airport in the world by passenger traffic, with 51,245,334 passengers. It also ranked 5th worldwide in terms of aircraft movements (625,884 flights).

Denver is a popular tourist destination, known for its unique architecture, beautiful natural scenery, and towering snow-covered mountains. Despite its cold winters, the city's climate remains mild. This combination has made Denver a beloved place for tourists and spurred the growth of its tourism industry. To reach Denver, all you need is a flight ticket connecting Vietnam with this U.S. city. Upon arrival at Denver International Airport (DIA), your exploration of the city begins. DIA, the largest airport in the U.S. and second-largest globally, is located northwest of Denver. Managed and operated by the City & County of Denver's Department of Aviation, it also boasts six concrete-runway systems, with lengths of 4,877 meters for one runway and 3,658 meters for the other five.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas, is a prominent international airport. It is the third-busiest airport worldwide in terms of air traffic. By passenger volume, it ranked as the seventh-busiest airport globally in 2007, handling 59,784,876 passengers. Covering an area larger than Manhattan, it is the largest airport in Texas, the second-largest in the United States, and the fourth-largest globally. DFW is also the tenth-largest international gateway in the U.S., just behind Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii. Recently, it was honored as the “Best Cargo Airport in the World.”

The airport is a major hub for American Airlines, the world's largest airline, and also serves as the primary base for American Eagle, the largest regional airline in the U.S. 84% of the flights at DFW are operated by American Airlines. Delta Air Lines ceased its hub operations at DFW in February 2005 as part of a cost-cutting move, reducing its daily direct flights from 256 to only 21. In 2015, DFW served over 64 million passengers. The airport boasts a vast complex with five terminals and 165 gates. In a recent survey, DFW was named the world’s best cargo airport. As of December 2018, DFW offered services to 244 destinations, including 62 international and 182 domestic locations, making it one of the select few airports globally with such extensive reach.