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The world’s 10 largest airports
Do you know which are the largest airports in the world and why they draw so much attention? These aviation giants welcome millions of passengers every year, move tonnes of cargo, and serve as important connection hubs between countries and continents.
If you’re passionate about travel, check out the list below of the 10 largest airports in the world, their main differentiators, and what makes them true global benchmarks.
What is the largest airport in the world?
The largest airport in the world is King Fahd International Airport, according to AirHelp’s 2025 ranking1. Located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, it covers an area of more than 780 square kilometres, even larger than the territory of neighbouring Bahrain. No wonder the airport appears in Guinness World Records².
Opened in 1999, the airport was designed to be a strategic hub in the Middle East and currently has two parallel 4,000‑metre runways, 49 aircraft stands, and two helipads.
What makes King Fahd International Airport the largest in the world? What is its operating capacity?
The title of the world’s largest airport isn’t limited to its physical footprint, although King Fahd International impresses with more than 780 square kilometres of area. Infrastructure and spaces dedicated to retail, leisure, and dining are also considered.
Even though it isn’t among the busiest by passenger numbers, it was designed to handle high flows of people and cargo with efficiency, safety, and organisation.
To compile the ranking, AirHelp considers criteria that evaluate both infrastructure and operational capacity, efficiency, and the impact of these centres on global aviation. Besides size, the main pillars used are:
- Passenger and cargo traffic: airports that receive millions of passengers annually and operate with a high volume of cargo;
- Infrastructure and terminals: wide runways, modern terminals, and services such as shops, restaurants, and rest areas. Airports that invest in sustainability, accessibility, and technology are also valued;
- International connectivity: airports with direct routes to several continents, many airlines, and integration with other modes of transport.
In other words, the ranking of the 10 largest airports in the world was created based on a set of indicators that combine operational volume, structural quality, and global impact. This ensures a comprehensive assessment that goes far beyond measuring only the built-up area.
Top 10 largest airports in the world
Beyond their sheer size, these airports reveal a lot about the grandeur and importance of their regions. From massive terminals in the desert to ultra‑high‑tech hubs in Asia, each one is a world of its own.
See below the 10 largest airports in the world in 2025, according to AirHelp, with their respective locations and official currencies.
| Airport | Country | Official currency |
|---|---|---|
| King Fahd International Airport (DMM) | Saudi Arabia | Saudi riyal (SAR) |
| Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) | China | Chinese yuan (CNY) |
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | United States | US dollar (USD) |
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | United States | US dollar (USD) |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | United States | US dollar (USD) |
| Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) | United States | US dollar (USD) |
| George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) | United States | US dollar (USD) |
| Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) | China | Chinese yuan (CNY) |
| Cairo International Airport (CAI) | Egypt | Egyptian pound (EGP) |
| Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) | Thailand | Thai baht (THB) |
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Sources consulted:
Sources last checked on August 11, 2025
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