Lois Larson
There are many ways to rate the size of an airport. One of the most common is by the total surface area of the airport, with King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, topping the list at 776 square kilometres. However, some airports with smaller surface areas, such as Beijing Daxing International Airport, boast the largest terminal sizes. Other factors that can be considered when rating airport sizes include passenger volume, the number of destinations served, and the availability of amenities such as restaurants and shops. These factors contribute to the overall ease and convenience of the airport experience for travellers.
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What You'll Learn
Busiest vs. biggest airports
When it comes to airports, there are several ways to rate their size. One way is to look at the number of passengers passing through, which is often used as a metric to determine how busy an airport is. Another way is to consider the physical size of the airport in terms of its geographical area.
Busiest Airports
The number of passengers passing through an airport is a key indicator of its busyness. In the United States, Atlanta International Airport topped the list with 50.9 million passengers in 2023, followed by Los Angeles International Airport with 40.9 million. Chicago O'Hare International Airport served 35.8 million passengers, making it the fifth busiest in the US. When it comes to private jet travel, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas saw a 4.9% increase in private jet departures in 2024, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing private airports in the US.
On a global scale, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, claimed the title of the busiest airport in the world for passengers, serving an impressive 93.6 million people in 2022. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport trailed behind in second place, with more than 20 million passengers less.
Biggest Airports
In contrast, the size of an airport in terms of geographical area offers a different perspective on its magnitude. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, boasts an astonishing size of 300 square miles or 780 square kilometers. This makes it the largest airport in the world, even surpassing the size of neighbouring Bahrain. To put it into perspective, it's comparable in size to the entire city of New York, with all five boroughs.
In the United States, Denver International Airport spans 53 square miles, making it the largest airport in the country and the third-largest in the world. Its vastness is evident when compared to the next largest US airport, Dallas/Fort Worth, which is less than half its size.
Factors Affecting Airport Choice
While passenger volume might be a more critical factor for travellers and operators, the size of an airport in terms of geographical area can also impact the experience. For instance, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in the US was rated highly by travellers for its ease of navigation and accessibility, as well as the availability of amenities. Additionally, factors such as the efficiency of security checks, the presence of restaurants and bars, and overall design can contribute to a more positive airport experience.
In summary, while Atlanta may be the busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, it's important to consider that the physical size of an airport can vary significantly, with King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia claiming the title of the largest airport in the world.
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Terminal size
Airport terminals are complex structures, and one of the most challenging tasks when designing one is accounting for future passenger movement. The most important parameter for sizing terminals is Peak Hour Passengers (PHP), which refers to the number of passengers processed by the terminal at a given time.
The PHP value is calculated using various methods, often based on historical flight data. This data is used to predict future demand and determine the size of each space, including queue areas, and the required resources. The critical design hour, when peak demand occurs, is determined using saturated and unsaturated models. The unsaturated model considers the relationship between observed passenger flow and annual demand, while the saturated model includes constraints such as runway limitations.
To avoid over or under-sizing, terminals are designed for a specific load, typically during an hour of operation. This design load can be determined using fictitious flight schedules or ratio-based models that forecast the relationship between load and annual demand.
When it comes to terminal ratemaking, rentable space is a critical factor. This is defined as the total space available for rent to airlines, concessions, or other tenants. The airport operator sets the rentable space definition and can adjust it by adding or excluding areas to manage the rental rate and recovery amount. The rental rate is calculated by dividing the annual rate base by the square footage of rentable or usable space.
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Runway length
The size of a runway is determined by several factors, including the aircraft type it is designed to serve, airport elevation, weather conditions, sea level, and other geographical and environmental considerations of the area. Larger aircraft, such as wide-bodies, typically require longer runways, with a length of at least 8,000 feet at sea level and more at higher altitudes. International wide-body flights, carrying more fuel, may require runways of 10,000 feet or more for landing and 13,000 feet for takeoff. The Boeing 747, for example, has set the standard for runway lengths at larger international airports.
Private jets, on the other hand, generally require shorter runways compared to commercial airliners. A typical private jet needs a runway length between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, while smaller planes, such as single-engine aircraft, can operate with minimum runway lengths of around 2,000 to 3,000 feet.
The classic 150-foot-wide runway, capable of handling a wide-body plane for a large group charter flight, may not be available at every airport. Knowing the width of runways is important for considerations such as runway illusion and crosswind conditions. Additionally, the width of runways is indicated by universal threshold markings.
When determining runway length, it is crucial to consider the appropriate safety equipment, such as Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) requirements. These requirements are categorized into five indexes (A through E), dictating the number of firefighting vehicles and agents needed.
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Amenities and ease of travel
When it comes to rating the size of airports, several factors come into play, and these can significantly impact the ease of travel through these airports. Here is a detailed look at the amenities and ease of travel as a means of rating airport sizes:
The size of an airport often determines the range of amenities available. Larger airports tend to offer more extensive facilities, which can enhance the travel experience, especially during long layovers. Amenities such as dining options, lounges, and shopping areas are essential considerations for travellers. For instance, the presence of restaurants, bars, and cafes can provide travellers with a variety of food and beverage options. Some airports, like Dulles International Airport, offer lounges with free food and drinks, which can be a great way to save money and enhance comfort.
The availability of shopping options, including duty-free stores, can also be a welcome distraction for travellers waiting for their flights. Airports like Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are highly rated for their overall ease of use, including the convenience of finding the correct gate and accessing various amenities. The design and layout of an airport play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth flow of passenger traffic. Well-designed airports make it easier for travellers to navigate and locate essential services, thereby reducing travel stress and improving the overall airport experience.
In addition to dining and shopping options, other amenities that contribute to a seamless travel experience include efficient check-in and security processes. Airports with shorter wait times, streamlined security checks, and user-friendly baggage claim areas are generally preferred by travellers. Moreover, the availability of transportation options to and from the airport is vital. Airports that offer convenient public transit access and reasonably priced parking tend to rank higher in terms of ease of travel.
While passenger volume is often a more critical factor than the physical size of the airport, it is worth noting that larger airports can accommodate more passengers and provide a greater number of flight options and direct connections. This increased capacity can reduce overall travel time and provide travellers with more flexibility in choosing their itineraries. However, it is essential to balance the size of the airport with efficient operations to ensure that larger airports do not become overcrowded and cumbersome to navigate.
In conclusion, when rating the sizes of airports, the availability and quality of amenities play a crucial role in the ease of travel. Larger airports have the potential to offer more extensive facilities, but it is the efficient utilisation of space and the consideration of passenger needs that ultimately determine the convenience and satisfaction of travellers.
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Historical context
Historically, the size of an airport was not determined by aircraft or passenger requirements, but rather by leisure and social activities. For instance, in 1939, La Guardia Airport attracted almost 250,000 visitors per month, with only a maximum daily throughput of 3,000 passengers. Berlin's airport, in 1929, reported 750,000 visitors and featured a restaurant that could seat 3,000 people on the roof of the passenger terminal. Early airports were also characterised by grass strips, as aircraft at the time were relatively light.
The size and profitability of an airport are closely linked, with industry profitability concentrated among airports with higher throughput. Airports with smaller markets tend to have higher overall costs per passenger or workload unit. As such, most airports in the world are small, and while the airport industry is profitable as a whole, a significant number of airports operate at a net loss. In 2015, 92% of airports with net losses had fewer than one million passengers.
In 2017, mid-sized hub airports worldwide experienced rapid rises in passenger traffic, with airports in the 5-15 million and 15-25 million passengers per annum ranges seeing growth of 10.2% and 8.9% respectively. This growth has been attributed to increased urbanization, consolidation, hubbing strategies, and capacity discipline by major legacy carriers. LCCs (low-cost carriers) have also contributed to this trend by establishing operations at secondary or mid-sized airports, increasing competition and making previously unserved routes profitable.
While the number of airlines has decreased in certain markets, such as North America, Europe, and Latin America, the reduced competition has resulted in greater airline-market concentration. Despite this, mid-sized airports have seen the largest increases in traffic, with the number of airports with over 40 million passengers per annum increasing from 18 in 2007 to 50 in 2017.
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Frequently asked questions
King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the world's largest airport by area. It covers 776 square kilometres, which is nearly 300 square miles.
Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the United States by area. It covers 135 square kilometres, or 53 square miles.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, attracting more than 110 million passengers per year.
Beijing Daxing International Airport in China has the largest airport terminal in the world. The terminal covers 7.5 million square feet, or 696,773 square meters.
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