Airports Galore: Which Country Has The Most?

With over 100,000 flights taking off worldwide each day, airports are hubs of constant activity. The number of airports in a country can range from just one in smaller countries like San Marino and Malta, to thousands in larger countries like the United States, Russia, and Brazil. So, which country has the most airports?

The United States has the most airports in the world

The prominence of the United States in terms of airport infrastructure can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the country is among the top 10 most populous nations globally and consistently attracts a high number of visitors. Additionally, the perception of the United States as the world's wealthiest and most influential nation attracts individuals seeking economic prosperity. This has led to a high demand for air travel, with millions of travellers passing through its expansive network of aviation hubs annually.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in College Park, Georgia, is a notable example of the United States' airport prowess. It is renowned as the largest and busiest airport in the country, serving over 89 million passengers each year since 2005. The airport excels in passenger service, takeoffs, and landings, solidifying its status as a major hub for both domestic and international travel.

The United States' vast network of airports is crucial for both commercial and private aircraft operations. The country's land area is comparable to that of Europe, and as a result, many travellers, especially those embarking on long-distance vacations or business trips, prefer air travel over other ground transportation methods. This preference for air travel is reflected in the statistic that an estimated 90% of Americans have flown at some point in their lives, making it a common and widespread mode of transportation across the nation.

The United States' dominance in airport infrastructure is further emphasised when compared to other countries. Brazil, which ranks second in terms of airport numbers, has approximately 4,919 airports, which is less than a third of the number in the United States. This significant gap highlights the United States' exceptional commitment to aviation infrastructure and its role as a global leader in air travel.

Brazil has the second most airports

Brazil is a country with a rich amalgamation of people and a diversified culture. It is the fifth-largest country in the world and is named after a tree called Brazilwood. Brazil has approximately 4,093 to 4,919 airports, making it the country with the second-highest number of airports in the world. Most of these airports are private, with just under 500 classified as public.

Brazil's massive land area is one of the key reasons for its high number of airports. It is the fifth-largest country in the world based on total area, spanning 8,515,770 square kilometres (3,287,957 square miles). The country's busiest airport is Sao Paulo International Airport in Guarulhos, serving around 41.3 million passengers in 2023 and receiving roughly 275,000 total takeoffs and landings.

Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport is the biggest airport in Brazil. This airport caters to over 26 million passengers. The Congonhas International airport is located in Sao Paulo itself. The Congonhas International airport is located 26.6 km from downtown Sao Paulo and is known for its scenic skyscrapers.

Other notable airports in Brazil include:

• Rio De Janeiro Galeao Airport: This airport is the busiest in Brazil, consisting of approximately 17 million passengers and 140,000 aircraft movements every year. It operates two terminals, which include various facilities like shopping, restaurants, ATMs, banks, coffee bars, and car rentals.
• Brasilia International Airport: This airport is located in the federal district of Brazil Lago Sul and is one of the primary international airports in Brazil. It is also one of the domestic hubs for flights within the country. The airport is located at a short distance from central Brasilia, with a total drive time of around 15 minutes.
• Santos Dumont Airport: This airport is named after Brazilian aviation cadet Alberto Santos Dumont and has been in operation since 1930. It serves travellers with various accommodations, rental facilities, shops, and connecting flights. The airport is situated 2 km from Brazil's major space and monitors 3.3 million passengers per year.
• Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport: This international airport is named after an influential political person and includes airlines like Air Europa, GOI Transportes Aereos, LATAM Brasil, and TAP Air Portugal, among others. It is situated 24 km from the city of Salvador and managed 7.7 million passengers in 2017.

Russia has the third most airports

Russia's second-busiest airport is Moscow Domodedovo Airport, which is named after the town of Domodedovo. It is the second-biggest airport in Russia and is among the twenty busiest airports in Europe. The airport handled 21.2 million passengers in 2022.

Vnukovo International Airport, also in Moscow, served 24.01 million travellers in 2019. In 2021, it was ranked as the ninth busiest airport in Europe.

Russia's aviation sector is dominated by national airlines, although international sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine have impacted air traffic. The number of flights fell by around 230,000 in the first year of the war, although this only represented a 15% decrease.

Russia's extensive network of airports and airlines is a result of its large land area and historical significance as a hub for plane manufacturers and testing during World War II.

Canada has over 1,400 airports

Canada's busiest airports include Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, and Calgary International Airport. These airports serve as hubs for major Canadian airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet, connecting Canada with destinations worldwide. Toronto Pearson International Airport, located in Mississauga, is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, serving around 47 million passengers annually. It is followed closely by Vancouver International Airport, which has long served as Canada's hub for flights to Asia and Oceania.

Canada's rich tapestry of tourist attractions, including iconic landmarks such as Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, Grouse Mountain, and Banff National Park, also contributes to its large number of airports. The country's prominent airline companies, such as Air Canada, Air Transat, Canadian North, Canada Jetlines, and Air Canada Express, further enhance its aviation landscape.

Canada's aviation infrastructure is constantly expanding, particularly at larger hubs, indicating positive growth for the industry. This expansion ensures that Canada remains a leader in connecting remote communities by air, fostering economic advancement and prosperity through accessible air travel.

The UK has over 1,000 airports

The United States of America has the highest number of airports in the world, with sources estimating that there are over 14,700 airports across the country. Brazil comes in second place with around 4,000 airports, and Australia is third with just under 2,200.

The United Kingdom ranks sixth in the world for the number of airports, with over 1,000 airports across the country. This is impressive given its small land area of just 243,610 square kilometres (94,058 square miles). London is the largest aviation hub in the world by passenger traffic, with six international airports handling over 168 million passengers in 2023. Heathrow Airport is the UK's largest airport, serving over 79 million international passengers annually.

The UK's high number of airports can be attributed to its relatively large population of about 68 million, as well as its role as a global business and tourism hub. London's second-busiest airport, Gatwick, was the world's busiest single-runway airport until 2016. Outside of London, Manchester Airport is the UK's third-busiest airport, followed by Stansted and Luton.

The UK's aviation landscape is supported by airline companies such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which are part of the Aviation Foundation, a lobby group for the aviation needs of the country.

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