In 2023, Dubai International Airport, the second busiest after Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, served almost 87 million passengers, according to Forbes India.
Additionally, Asia is home to several of the world’s largest airports in terms of land area. For instance, King Fahd International in Saudi Arabia is currently the largest airport globally, covering 776 square kilometres.
To learn more, continue reading as we examine some of the largest airways in Asia based on their area and passenger capacity.
List of the Largest Airports in Asia 2024
King Fahd International (DMM)
Situated in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, King Fahd International is renowned as the largest globally in terms of area, encompassing a remarkable 776 square kilometres. It was named after King Fahd Abdulaziz al-Saudi and has been in operation since 1999.
Despite its immense size, King Fahd International has a relatively lower passenger capacity compared to others in Saudi Arabia. According to AFAR, DMM caters to approximately 10 million passengers annually.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International (KUL) is a crucial aviation centre in Southeast Asia, spanning around 100 square kilometres. It commenced operations in 1998 and has been catering to millions of passengers ever since.
To be more precise, KUL has the capacity to accommodate up to 100 million passengers annually. In 2022, an estimated 24 million people passed through, solidifying its position as the busiest in Malaysia.
Additionally, KUL was recognised as one of the world’s most photogenic in 2024, surpassing Singapore’s renowned Changi Airport.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
The massive size of Beijing Daxing International (PKX) allowed it to handle more than 39.4 million passengers in 2023. The airport, which was finished in 2019, covers an area of 46.6 square kilometres.
Additionally, PKX boasts one of the largest single-building terminals globally, with a terminal size exceeding 690,000 square meters, according to AFAR.
Pudong International Airport in Shanghai (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International covers an area of approximately 39.9 km^�. With its amazing size, the airport can accommodate a huge volume of travellers.
According to OAG, PVG had approximately 4.2 million seats as of October 2024, ranking among the busiest airports globally in terms of seating capacity.
Airport Suvarnabhumi International (BKK)
Another one from Southeast Asia that makes our list is Suvarnabhumi International. The World Population Review claims that it is incredibly large, spanning 32.4 square kilometres.
The main international gateway to Bangkok can handle over 300,000 aircraft movements annually in addition to serving over 60 million people.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Hong Kong International rightfully holds a prominent position among the largest in Asia, covering an expansive area of approximately 19 square kilometres. Established in 1998, this stands distinctive as it is situated on the largely reclaimed island of Chek Lap Kok.
HKG is also known as one of the busiest globally. As of October 2024, this features a total capacity of around 3 million seats, reflecting a 1.4% increase compared to the previous year, according to OAG.
Furthermore, alongside Shanghai and Beijing, HKG is home to one of the largest terminals worldwide. It serves as a primary hub for several airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and Hong Kong Express Airways.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
According to Forbes India, Indira Gandhi International accommodates over 72 million passengers annually, ranking it among the busiest worldwide in terms of passenger volume. It is also recognised as one of the largest in Asia.
It is situated 16 kilometres from central New Delhi. IGI covers an expanse of 5,106 acres, and is approximately 21 square kilometres, as reported by JSW Steel. Additionally, it serves as a primary hub for several Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet.
Spanning vast areas of hundreds of square kilometres, airports in Asia, such as the expansive King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia and the state-of-the-art Beijing Daxing International in China, exemplify remarkable scale and modernity.
