The size of a city: 7 largest airports in the world

There are several major airports in the world that attract attention with their gigantic size and intense passenger traffic. Some of these airports are perceived as real cities due to their vast territory.

However, the size of the terminals and the total area of the airport do not always correspond directly to the passenger traffic. Although Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the largest in terms of total area, the world's busiest airport remains another airport, according to Yahoo.

The largest airports in the world by area

1. King Fahd International Airport (DMM) - Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, covers a total area of 299.61 square miles (776 square kilometers) and is the largest airport in the world by area. Its size is comparable to the city of New York.

This airport is not the busiest in Saudi Arabia - that title belongs to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which is the main entry point for pilgrims traveling to Mecca and Medina during the Hajj. The size of King Fahd Airport is mainly due to its past as a US military base.

2. Denver International Airport (DEN) - Denver, Colorado.

The city of Denver covers an area of approximately 155 square miles (401 square kilometers), and a large part of this area is occupied by Denver Airport. It is nicknamed DIA by locals and is located east of the city center, where there used to be agricultural land.

The expansion of the suburbs has led to the filling of the space between the city and Denver International Airport. However, the airport itself already covers an area of 53.09 square miles (135.7 square kilometers). Its sophisticated underground train system provides connections between the main terminal and the various boarding and alighting areas.

3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) - Dallas, Texas.

Located in the Texas prairies between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW Airport is the third largest airport in the world. This airport is familiar to American Airlines passengers, being their home base and hub for connecting flights. As a result of these transfers, travelers experience a true sense of the airport's scale, comparable to the territory of Texas.

With a total area of 26.88 square miles (69.6 square kilometers), DFW Airport ranks high among the largest airports in the world. It is the second largest airport in the United States by passenger traffic.

4. Orlando International Airport (MCO) - Orlando, Florida.

Orlando International Airport, designated by the code MCO, is the former McCoy Air Force Base and covers an area of 20.78 square miles (53.8 square kilometers).

It is the busiest airport in Florida and ranks seventh in terms of total passenger traffic in the United States. Orlando Airport actively utilizes its space, unlike King Fahd Airport.

5. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - Washington, DC.

Washington Dallas Airport, also known as Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW), is the main air hub for the region and one of the largest in the world by area.

The total area of the airport is 26.88 square miles (69.6 square kilometers), providing ample space for aircraft and passengers.

DFW serves a large network of destinations both within and outside the United States, providing connections to many cities around the world.

It is the second largest airport in the United States by total passenger traffic and plays a key role in the air transportation of the Dallas/Fort Worth region.

6. Beijing Capital Daxing International Airport (PKX) - Beijing, China.

Beijing Capital Daxing International Airport (PKX) ranks sixth in terms of total area with an area of 18 square miles (46.6 square kilometers). However, its outstanding performance lies in the size of its terminal.

The terminal has a total area of 7.5 million square feet (696,773 square meters) and has a unique star-shaped structure designed for passenger convenience, especially when connecting to international flights.

Currently, PKX is not a leader in terms of total passenger numbers, which is partly due to its relative newness - the airport was opened in 2019. However, forecasts indicate that by 2040 it will become the busiest airport in the world.

7. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - Houston, Texas.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, covers a total area of approximately 12 square miles (31 square kilometers). Despite its modest size compared to some of the world's giant airports, such as King Fahd Airport in Saudi Arabia or Beijing Capital Daxing Airport, IAH is a busy passenger hub.

In terms of passenger numbers, IAH is not a leader among the world's largest airports. But its active role as a transportation network makes it an important hub for air transportation in the United States. The airport offers flights to all continents of the world except Antarctica.

IAH has five runways, five terminals and a hotel.

Other airports around the world are ranked in the TOP-10 as follows:

- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) with an area of 15.4 miles (39.9 square kilometers);

- Cairo International Airport (CAI) with an area of 14.01 square miles (36.3 square kilometers);

- Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) with an area of 12.5 square miles (32.4 square kilometers).