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The world’s 10 biggest airports
Do you know which are the largest airports in the world and why they attract 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 love travelling, check out the list below of the 10 largest airports in the world, their main differentiators and what makes them true global benchmarks.
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What is the largest airport in the world?
The largest airport in the world is King Fahd International Airport, according to AirHelp’s ranking in 2025.¹ Located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, it covers an area of more than 780 square kilometres, even larger than the territory of Bahrain, its neighbouring country. It’s no surprise the airport features in the Guinness World Records.²
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 gates and two helipads.
What makes King Fahd International Airport the largest in the world? What is its operational capacity?
The title of the largest airport in the world isn’t just about its physical footprint, even though King Fahd International Airport impresses with more than 780 square kilometres of area. Infrastructure and spaces dedicated to shopping, leisure and dining are also taken into account.
Even though it’s not among the busiest by passenger numbers, it was designed to handle high volumes of people and cargo with efficiency, safety and organisation.
To compile the ranking, AirHelp considers criteria that assess both infrastructure and operational capacity, efficiency and the impact of these hubs on global aviation. Beyond size, the main pillars used are:
- Passenger and cargo movement: airports that welcome millions of passengers annually and operate with high cargo volumes;
- 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 drawn up 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 area.
Top 10 largest airports in the world
Beyond their sheer size, these airports say a lot about the scale and importance of their regions. From massive desert terminals 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 | Renminbi 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 | Renminbi 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 11 August 2025
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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