The £2bn airport that's the world's biggest spanning 299 square miles
The world's largest airport commenced operations in 1999 and serves as a hub for Saudia, Flyadeal, and Flynas.
The world's largest airport spans 299 square miles - a vast difference to the UK's largest London Heathrow that stretches across 4.74 square miles.
King Fahd International Airport, also recognized as Dammam Airport, is based in Saudi Arabia and cost an estimated £2billion to build.
The airport started operations in 1999 and consists of three terminals. The main terminal consists of six floors and accomodates both international and domestic flights.
Meanwhile the Aramco Terminal caters exclusively to private airlines operated by Saudi Aramco.
The third terminal - the Royal Terminal - is for the royal family of Saudi Arabia, official guests and government officials.
The airport is one of four in Saudi Arabia, serving the eastern province. Formerly a US airbase used primarily during the Gulf War, the airport has been overseeing commercial operations since November 1999.
Before King Fahd International, the primary airport serving the region was the much busier Dhahran International Airport, which has since been converted for military use and is now designated the King Abdulaziz Air Base.
More than 10 million passengers use King Fahd International each year, and 37 airlines operate flights in and out of the airport.
The airport is served by two runways, both measuring 2.5miles long. UK airports fail to make the list for the largest in the world, with Denver International Airport coming in second place and Istanbul taking third.
World’s Top 10 largest airports in 2024
Airport | Size (Square Miles/Square kilometers) |
King Fahd International Airport (DMM) | 299 sq miles (774 sq km) |
Denver International Airport (DEN) | 53 sq miles (137 sq km) |
Istanbul Airport (IST) | 29.5 sq miles (76 sq km) |
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | 26 sq miles (67 sq km) |
Orlando International Airport (MCO) | 20 sq miles (52 sq km) |
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) | 18 sq miles (47 sq km) |
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) | 18 sq miles (47 sq km) |
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) | 17 sq miles (44 sq km) |
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) | 15 sq miles (39 sq km) |
Cairo International Airport (CAI) | 14 sq miles (36 sq km) |