Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Upon its inauguration in the early 1960s, Dulles International Airport in the rural expanse of Northern Virginia faced scepticism for its sprawling location, situated 30 miles from the capital city. Despite initial reservations and its distinctive appearance, often likened to an elephant in white, the Eero Saarinen-designed airport proved to be a remarkable asset.

Features

  • The airport is now a key East Coast international hub for United Airlines, serving 61 foreign destinations.
  • While driving from the district can still take about an hour, a Metro line expansion now provides a public transport option.

Dulles International Airport: Key Facts and Information

  • Location: Shanghai, China
  • Area: 39.9 km2 (15.4 mi2)
  • Owner: Shanghai Airport Authority
  • Operator: Shanghai Airport Authority
  • Establishment Date: Opened in 1999
  • Monthly/Yearly Revenue: Revenue information is not available.
  • Number of Runways:

10 Largest Airports in the World in 2024

Airports serve as gateways for travellers and goods. These transportation hubs are busy nerve centres, linking distant places and people. Whether you’re jetting off on vacation, conducting business, or receiving goods from around the globe, airports make it all possible.

The largest airport in the world, in terms of land area, is King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia. Covering a staggering 780 square kilometres, it’s like a small city within itself. This mega-airport boasts five terminals, making it capable of handling millions of passengers annually. Its colossal size includes two parallel runways, each stretching over four miles in length.

The airport also plays a vital role in connecting Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world, making it a crucial hub for both domestic and international travel. It’s a prime example of how large airports can reach to accommodate our global mobility needs. Read below this interesting article to find out more about Airports.

Biggest Airport in the World

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List of Largest Airports in the World 2024

The King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the largest airport globally, and it is significantly bigger than others. Covering almost 300 square miles, it is almost as vast as all five boroughs of New York City combined (302.6 mi2)....

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

The King Fahd International Airport, the world’s largest, is situated approximately 19 miles to the northwest of downtown Dammam. Despite its immense size, it is only the third-busiest airport in Saudi Arabia. This is because it was a former US airbase during the Gulf War. It started commercial operations in 1999 and can handle about 12 million passengers....

2. The World’s Second Largest Airport: Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport, the world’s second-largest airport and the largest in the U.S., covers an area of approximately 52.4 square miles. It is located about 25 miles from the city of Denver. Before COVID-19 in 2020, the airport had an annual passenger traffic of about 60 million. In 2020, around 33 million passengers used the airport’s terminals, making it the 8th busiest airport globally....

3. The World’s Third Largest Airport: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

The Dallas International Airport, the world’s third-largest airport, covers an area of approximately 27 square miles, making it larger than Manhattan Island. It is located roughly midway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. American Airlines has its largest hub at DFW Airport, which operates flight services to around 273 destinations across 44 countries....

4. Orland International Airport

Orlando Airport can be found just six miles south-west of downtown Orlando. It spans an area of 21 square miles, which makes it the third-largest airport in the United States and the fourth-largest in the world. With more than 850 flights per day operated by about 44 airlines, Orlando Airport is an important international gateway for the Central Florida region. Orlando Airport offers services to over 135 international and domestic destinations....

5. Dulles International Airport

Commonly known as Dulles International Airport (IAD) or simply Dulles, this airport ranks as the fifth-largest in the world. It occupies a surface area of 20.3 square miles and is situated approximately 26 miles west of downtown Washington, DC. IAD Airport serves as a significant air hub for the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area....

6. Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers

While not a major hub for passenger traffic, Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers serves as a crucial gateway to the southwest region of Florida, connecting to destinations such as Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Marco Island, and Punta Gorda. Despite its moderate passenger volume, the airport ranks as the third-largest in the United States, following Denver and DFW. This notable size is attributed to the allocation of over 6,000 acres of land designated for protected marshlands, emphasising the airport’s commitment to environmental conservation....

7. Orlando International Airport (MCO)

This airport, six miles from downtown Orlando, serves as the primary international gateway to central Florida and its world-famous theme parks. Orlando International Airport boasts nonstop flights from 48 international destinations, attracting guests from all over the world to this renowned family-friendly vacation destination....

8. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Upon its inauguration in the early 1960s, Dulles International Airport in the rural expanse of Northern Virginia faced scepticism for its sprawling location, situated 30 miles from the capital city. Despite initial reservations and its distinctive appearance, often likened to an elephant in white, the Eero Saarinen-designed airport proved to be a remarkable asset....

9. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

Beijing Daxing International Airport proudly claims the title of “the world’s largest airport” on its website, although this assertion is not entirely accurate. Nevertheless, it undeniably falls within the category of mega-airports, boasting one of the world’s largest single-building terminals covering an impressive 7.5 million square feet—equivalent to more than 98 soccer pitches....

10. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH)

In the late 1950s, Houston city authorities displayed ambitious foresight when acquiring land for a new airport. Over the ensuing decades, this vision materialised into the expansive reality of the airport’s current size, reflecting the city’s enduring commitment to grand aspirations....

Busiest Airport in the World 2024

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, holds the title of the busiest airport in the world. It serves as a major hub for domestic and international flights, connecting millions of passengers each year. Its strategic location and numerous terminals make it a crucial gateway for travellers across the globe....

Smallest Airport in the World 2024

Barra Airport in Scotland is often considered one of the smallest airports in the world. It’s unique in that it uses its beach as a runway, and its facilities are quite limited compared to major international airports. While not the tiniest by land area, its simplicity and remote location make it stand out....

Conclusion

Want to know which airport is the largest in the world? King Fahd International Airport, located in Saudi Arabia, is considered the largest in terms of size. In the above article, we have provided a complete list of the world’s largest airports. Also, find out about the busiest and smallest airports in the world....

10 Largest Airports in the World in 2024 – FAQs

Which is the largest airport in the world?...