In addition to surface area, the number of passengers passing through (air passenger volume) is particularly important in assessing the size of an airport. The Airports Council International (ACI), the international umbrella organization for commercial airports, closely monitors the daily number of people checked in at airports around the world in order to identify trends and disseminate relevant statistics.
Well, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport holds the top position among the 10 largest airports in the world. Let's get to know the rest below.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
This behemoth is not only the busiest, but also has runways and terminals that would make any airport look small. It is considered the largest airport by passenger volume.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in the United States
It stands out as one of the largest and busiest airports in the world, handling more than 62.5 million passengers annually. It covers more than 17 square kilometers and consists of four terminals.
Denver International Airport (DEN) in the United States
It is also among the largest and busiest airports globally, handling more than 58.8 million passengers a year. Its area covers more than 54 square kilometers and it has seven terminals.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in the United States
It is among the largest and busiest airports in the world, with an annual flow of more than 54 million passengers. With an area of more than 18 square kilometers, it has four terminals.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the United States
It stands out as one of the largest and busiest airports globally, serving more than 48 million passengers annually. Its area extends for approximately 21 square kilometers and consists of nine terminals.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in the United States
It is an important hub in Charlotte, North Carolina, with direct domestic and international connections. It has five terminals covering an area of 5 square kilometers and handles more than 43.3 million passengers each year.
Orlando International Airport in the United States
It is an international hub located in the heart of Florida, handling an annual traffic of more than 40.3 million passengers. It offers various facilities such as stores, restaurants, duty-free stores and a VIP program.
Guangzhou-Baiyun International Airport in China
It is a major international airport located in Guangdong Province, with direct connections to cities in China and around the world. It receives more than 40.2 million passengers annually.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) in China
It is one of the largest airports in the country, welcoming more than 40.1 million passengers annually and offering modern facilities.
Harry Reid International Airport in the United States
It is a leading international airport in the city of Las Vegas, registering more than 39.7 million passengers per year.
What is the busiest airport in the world?
The title of the busiest airport globally is held by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States. It records an impressive 107 million passengers annually, making it the busiest airport in the world.
In addition to its remarkable volume of travelers, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport also stands out for its extensive surface area, which covers 19 square kilometers, equivalent to approximately 7 square miles.