India may not be the country known for the biggest airports in the entire world, but there sure are some considerably big airports that are worth taking a look at. They’re so grand that if you have never been to a big airport, they’ll feel like out of this world to you, that we can say for sure. But how big are we actually talking here? So, if you always wondered like which are the biggest airports in the country, then just do not skip this post and you’ll come to know about it all. Here, we’re going to list the top 10 biggest airports in India by area right now, so, here we go then.
1. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
Sure enough, Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has an area of as much as 5,500 acres, making it HUGE as the largest airport in the area in India. Just so you know though, this airport was inaugurated in 2008 and has been setting new standards with respect to its infrastructure and sustainability initiatives. This airport runs completely on renewable energy and it is the first in the world for eco-friendly aviation. It is operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. and is a key domestic and international hub, continuing to increase its capacity with improvement works.
2. Indira Gandhi International Airport
Located in New Delhi, the Indira Gandhi International Airport is not only the second-largest in India with an area of 5,106 acres in total, but it is also the busiest airport in the country. As for some important details, with 73 million passengers handled in 2023, the airport has four existing runways and world-class terminals that can accommodate ever-expanding traffic. Moreover, expansion has begun to increase the airport’s capacity to over 100 million passengers annually by 2030, and that would literally make it THE busiest airport in the country.
3. Kempegowda International Airport
Coming in at number 3, Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport is as broad as it is conducive to innovative thinking. You know, taking up space on around 4,000 acres, this airport gets the third position on the list. Known for its environmental initiatives, it also has a wonder of architecture through Terminal 2 with bamboo interiors and over 600,000 live plants. This amazing airport has two runways and is in the process of planning for a third terminal to handle growing demand in the technology capital of India.
4. Manohar International Airport Goa
Manohar International Airport has become the fourth largest airport on our list, and sure enough, the reason is its massive size. Well, just so you know, the newest airport in Goa, which opened in 2023, covers a total area of 2,132 acres. Without a single doubt, it was built so that the current state of Dabolim Airport has reduced congestion. It follows advanced biometric systems on seamless travel issues. Like, the airport is designed for the spiral growth into the Goa tourism scene by targeting over 13 million passengers a year by 2025.
5. Dabolim Airport
Next on the list, the original aviating center of Goa, Dabolim Airport covers an area of about 1,700 acres and ranks fifth in terms of area. In operation since 1955, it boasts a wave-inspired design for its terminal indicative of freedom and movement. Cumulatively, this leads to a decline in its importance with the setting up of Manohar International Airport, and if you’re wondering about the current operations of this airport, well, it serves as a domestic airport with military operations, amounting to around 5 million passengers annually.
6. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
Then, stretching over a HUGE area of 1,640 acres, it would be safe to say that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, has been an integral part of the Indian aviation system since it was established in 1924. No two ways about it, yes, it is an important airport that caters to both eastern and northeastern India, with an annual passenger traffic of about 20 million passengers. The new terminal, which is dedicated to modernization and was commissioned in 2012, enables smooth processing but is still very true to the fact of having one of the earliest airports in the country.
7. Birsa Munda Airport
Coming in at the next spot, you see, with an area of 1,568 acres, Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi is said to be the seventh-largest airport in India. You know, this one, named after a tribal freedom fighter, this airport essentially serves domestic routes connecting the small cities to the bigger urban hubs. Established in 2013, it is still expanding with additional facilities such as new parking bays to fulfill the cravings of a growing passenger base of over 2.5 million a year, and that’s a big thing.
8. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport of Mumbai is 1,500 acres wide, just saying. Indeed, not only does this airport become the eighth largest by area, but it also makes it into the list of the busiest ones with an annual traffic of above 52 million. Not just that though, the airport is endowed with the Jai He Art Gallery, a unique art-gathering space housing over 7,000 Indian works.
9. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport
This is Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, which now occupies 1355 acres, serving as a hub for the transit of passengers and as part of MIHAN (Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur). If you really take a good look at its position, well, it kinda is strategically located in central India and handles approximately 3 million passengers annually.
10. Cochin International Airport
Last on the list, sure, this airport is well-known all over the world because it is considered to be the first completely solar-powered airport in the world. As for its size, well, it covers over 1300 acres of land and was opened way back in 1999. As for some technical details, yes, it is now serving over 10 million passengers a year and upholding sustainability in aviation while being a gateway to Kerala.
Conclusion
That’s pretty much it. This list of these big airports goes on and on, but by far, among the best, biggest, and busiest airports, you’ll often see these ten names pop up. Hope you liked this grand post of the biggest airports in India, so yes, we’ll see you in the next one.
