Air travel continues to expand globally, and airports are evolving into massive hubs for both
passenger traffic and cargo operations. While India’s
Mumbai Airport is one of the busiest in the country, it is
not the largest in the world in terms of area. So, which airport currently holds the title of the
world’s largest airport?
1. The Largest airport in the World·
Name: King Fahd international airport (KFIA)·
Location: Dammam, Saudi Arabia·
Total Area: Approximately
780 square kilometers (301 sq miles) – making it
even larger than mumbai Airport in data-size.For comparison, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati shivaji Maharaj international airport spans about
2,400 acres (9.7 km²), which is
much smaller than KFIA.
2. Key Facts About king Fahd international Airport·
Opened: 1999·
Terminals: One main passenger terminal with
modern facilities, plus cargo and support terminals.·
Capacity: Designed to handle
up to 12 million passengers per year, with potential for future expansion.·
Facilities: Luxury lounges, prayer rooms, extensive parking, and state-of-the-art air traffic management systems.
3. Why It’s So Large· KFIA includes
runways, cargo facilities, maintenance zones, and vast open land reserved for future development.· Its enormous data-size allows for
simultaneous handling of multiple aircraft and expansion of airport city infrastructure.· The airport’s
strategic location near the Persian Gulf supports both domestic and international travel efficiently.
4. Comparison With Other Major AirportsAirportLocationArea (km²)NotesKing Fahd InternationalDammam, Saudi Arabia780Largest in the worldDenver international AirportUSA137Second-largestDallas/Fort Worth InternationalUSA70Third-largestJewar international AirportIndia~28Fourth-largest (under construction)Mumbai international AirportIndia~9.7Busy but smaller in area
5. India’s Position in Global airport Rankings·
Jewar international Airport in Uttar Pradesh is under construction and will become India’s
largest airport by area when completed.· Despite mumbai and delhi being busiest in passenger traffic,
data-size-wise, india is catching up with mega airports globally.
ConclusionWhile mumbai airport is a major hub for indian and international travel, the
world’s largest airport is king Fahd international airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, spanning
780 km². With the construction of
Jewar international Airport, india is steadily entering the league of countries with
mega airports capable of handling huge passenger and cargo volumes.
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