Stuffy airports resembling a carnival-like atmosphere are a thing of the past now. Almost every country out there in Asia is innovating the future with new state-of-the-art airport facilities in the pipeline. Apart from catering to the growing number of passengers, these upgrades will take the overall flying experience several notches up and add more colours than we have probably seen.
But, that being a thing of the future, for now, we take a glance at the top 10 busiest airports in Asia that are redefining the art of flying even today with next-gen features. Here we go:
Mumbai International Airport (BOM): India
Nestled in the heart of India’s financial capital Mumbai, Mumbai Airport (BOM) is one of the busiest airports in the country serving more than 50 million passengers from all over the world every year. This facility, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, bagged the best airport award twice in 2017 and 2020 by Airports Council International. Named after the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji, the airport owns two intersecting runways with a capacity to handle large aircraft like Airbus A380.
Mumbai Airport code is BOM. This Mumbai International Airport IATA code has been derived from the city’s former name Bombay.
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH): United Arab Emirates
Next on our “Top 10 Busiest Airports in Asia” list is the magnificent Abu Dhabi International Airport. It handles 24 million passenger traffic every year along with 207,486 aircraft movements. This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with three operational passenger terminals housing luxury lounges, duty-free shops, and all other world-class facilities you can only imagine under the sky.
Abu Dhabi Airport code is AUH.
Elevation: 27 m above sea level
Major passenger airlines operating from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
- Air Arabia
- Air India
- Air India Express
- airblue
- Azur Air
- Biman Bangladesh Airlines
- EgyptAir
- Etihad Airways
- Go Air
Narita International Airport (NRT): Japan
The first-ever airport to have set up its terminals according to three international airline alliances, Narita International Airport (NRT) is the world’s gateway to the “Land of the Rising Sun”. This plush facility has embraced technologies like no other in competition and has become the world’s first airport to offer a new approach to boarding procedures using facial recognition technology. That’s right! All you need is your face profile to get all your boarding formalities done. As contactless as it can get, Narita International Airport (NRT) also provides a safe and hygienic environment to its 33 million passengers annually.
Narita Airport code is NRT. This IATA code is based in Nanjing city where the airport is located.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX): China
Pegged at more than USD 11 billion, Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is also the world’s most expensive airport. The Starfish is home to the world’s largest single-building terminal that covers an area of more than 700,000 meters square. It has bagged several awards including Asia-Pacific’s The Best Airport award by hygiene measures.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is equipped with four world-class concrete runways. The entire facility handles total passenger traffic of more than 3 million every year.
Beijing Daxing International Airport code is PKX. This facility is located at a height of 30 meters above sea level.
Dubai International Airport (DXB): United Arab Emirates
Regarded as an architectural wonder, Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of the world’s busiest airports by international passenger traffic. It handles more than 23 million passengers every year from all over the world.
This facility started operations way back in 1960 and has since evolved into an economic catalyst that generates USD 26.7 million every year for its country by employing 90,000 people. In 2020, the airport boosted Dubai’s overall economy by a whopping 37.5%.
Dubai Airport code is DXB. It is an IATA code based on the city of Dubai.
- Operator: Dubai Airport Company
- Elevation: 19 m, above sea level
- Runways: 12L/30R Concrete, 12R/30L Concrete
- Major Airlines: Aeroflot, Air Algerie, Air Astana, and Air Baltic among others.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG): China
Built on the island of Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is the primary hub for airlines such as Cathay Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express, and Air Hong Kong. It is a gateway for the world into China’s majestic culture and the rest of Asia.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) commenced operations in 1988. It has since become one of the busiest airports in the world serving over 71 million passengers from around the world. This facility hosts world-class amenities, luxury lounges, and ATMs among other amenities.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) contributes immensely to the country’s economy by giving employment to over 65,000 people. This airport serves airlines such as Aeroloft, AirAsia, Air Astana, Air Busan, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, and Air Niugini among others.
Hong Kong Airport code is HKG, which has been derived from the city of Hong Kong where the airport is located.
King Fahd International Airport (DMM): Saudi Arabia
Named after the former king of Saudi Arabia Fahd ibn Abdulaziz, King Fahd International Airport (DMM) is located 31 kilometres northwest of downtown Damman in Saudi Arabia. It is equipped with two runways measuring four kilometres each and three passenger terminals with a capacity to handle nearly 11 million passengers annually.
Spread across an area of 3,520,000 square feet, the main terminal of the airport houses 15 gates along with 11 passenger boarding bridges and all the basic amenities including lounges, restaurants, and duty-free stores.
Aramco Terminal is used by only Saudi Aramco employees to connect with other locations of the company in Haradh, Tanajibu, and Yanbu among others while the Royal Terminal is reserved for the royal family of Saudi Arabia, government personnel, and official guests.
King Fahd International Airport code is DMM. This IATA code is based on the city of Dammam where the airport is located.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL): Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is nestled 45 kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur city in the heart of Malaysia’s Sepang District of Selangor. With nearly 60 million passengers in 2019, this is one of Asia’s busiest airports.
Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) features three parallel asphalt concrete runways measuring 4,019mX13,186ft, 4,000mX13,123ft, and 3,960mX12,992ft respectively. Air traffic at these runways is monitored by Tower East and Tower West. Tower West is the world’s tallest tower with a height of 133.8 meters.
Spread across an area of 39,000 square meters, this plush KLIA terminal has 216 check-in counters and self-check-in facilities along with two parking lots for more than 11,000 vehicles.
klia2 is terminal 2 that can handle 45 million passengers a year. It features 80 aerobridges, 68 departure gates, and a retail space of 35,000 square meters among other amenities.
Kuala Lumpur Airport code is KUL, which is based in the city of Kuala Lumpur.
Chennai International Airport (MAA): India
Located in the heart of Tirusulam, Chennai International Airport (MAA) is one of the busiest airports in Asia, ranking 4th on the list of top Indian airports, with passenger traffic of more than 22 million every year. It is one of the world’s most advanced aviation hubs featuring satellite terminals connected through a four-way underground walkalator.
Chennai International Airport (MAA) is the headquarter of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for South India. Covering an area of 1323 acres, this facility has three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3. Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 serve domestic and international operations respectively while Terminal 2 is dedicated to cargo operations. It has two runways serving the following major airlines: AirAsia, Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, TruJet, and Vistara.
Chennai Airport code is MAA. This IATA code is based on the city’s former name Madras.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): Thailand
Regarded as the beautiful gateway to Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is one of the busiest airports in the country since it was established in 1921. This airport has one runway equipped with all the facilities to handle millions of passengers from all over the world annually.
Being the gateway to Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) draws tourists from all over the world making it one of the most important hubs of cultural confluence and economic development. This facility has two terminals serving both domestic and international flights respectively.
Chiang Mai International Airport handles passenger traffic of more than 11 million passengers every year and aircraft operations of over 78,000 flights along with approximately 15,000 tonnes of cargo. Some of the major passenger airlines that operate from the operate are AirAsia, Air China, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, EVA Air, and Hainan Airlines among others.
Chiang Mai Airport code is CNX. This IATA code is based on Chiang Mai city where the airport is located.
So these were our top 10 stalwarts in Asia. You can learn about the top 10 busiest airports in North America right here. And for more stories stay tuned!
