India is home to some of the largest and busiest airports, serving millions of passengers every year. With growing air travel demand, many airports have expanded their area and facilities. By 2025, some airports will be among the largest in the world, offering advanced infrastructure and seamless travel experiences. In this article, we will go through the list of top-10 biggest airports in India by area and their key features.
India’s Largest Airport By Area 2025
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, located in Shamshabad, Hyderabad, is the largest airport in India by area, spanning 5,500 acres (2,200 hectares). Opened on March 23, 2008, it replaced Begumpet Airport and is named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), it introduced domestic e-boarding in 2015 and international e-boarding in 2020. The airport is the fourth busiest in India by passenger traffic, handling over 25 million passengers and around 150,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
Jewar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh is set to become India’s largest and Asia’s biggest airport by 2025. The first phase, expected to open by April 2025, will have a 90,000 square m terminal, a 4,150 m runway and integrated rail and metro stations. Future expansions will increase passenger capacity to 70 million, with additional terminals and runways.
Key Facts Related to Biggest Airport of India
Here are some of the key points related to biggest airport of India, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad:
- Location: Shamshabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, 24 km south of Hyderabad.
- Opened: March 23, 2008.
- Size: Largest airport in India by area, 5,500 acres (2,200 ha).
- Ownership: Operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL).
- Firsts: First in India to introduce domestic e-boarding (December 2015) and international boarding (October 2020).
- Passenger Traffic: Fourth busiest in India; handled over 25 million passengers from April 2023 to March 2024.
- Cargo: Managed around 150,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
- Facilities: Includes integrated passenger and cargo terminals, two runways, aviation training facilities, a fuel farm, solar power plant, and MRO facilities.
- Hub: Serves as a hub for Alliance Air, Amazon Air, Blue Dart Aviation, SpiceJet, and IndiGo; focus city for Air India.
Top-10 Largest Airports in India by 2025
As of now, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, located in Hyderabad, stands as the largest airport of India by area, with an area of 5,500 acres, followed by Indira Gandhi International Airport, and Kempegowda International Airport.
Here is the list of top-10 largest airports in India:
Largest Airports of India | |||
S. No. | Airports | Location | Opened |
1. | Rajiv Gandhi International Airport | Hyderabad | 5,500 acres |
2. | Indira Gandhi International Airport | New Delhi | 5,100 acres |
3. | Kempegowda International Airport | Bangalore | 4,000 acres |
4. | Manohar International Airport | Goa | 2,132 acres |
5. | Dabolim Airport | Panaji, Goa | 1,700 acres |
6. | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport | Kolkata | 1,640 acres |
7. | Birsa Munda Airport | Ranchi | 1,568 acres |
8. | Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport | Mumbai | 1,500 acres |
9. | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport | Nagpur | 1,355 acres |
10. | Cochin International Airport | Kochin | 1,124 acres |
Largest Airport of India By Area – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
- Location: Hyderabad
- Area: 5,500 acres
- Opened: 2008
- Ownership: GHIAL
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, located in Shamshabad, Hyderabad, is India’s largest airport by area, covering 5,500 acres (2,200 hectares). It opened on March 23, 2008, replacing Begumpet Airport and named after Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Managed by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), it launched domestic e-boarding in 2015 and international e-boarding in 2020. It is the fourth busiest airport in India, serving over 25 million passengers and handling 150,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
India’s Second Biggest Airport – Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
- Location: Delhi
- Opened: 1962
- Operator: Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) stands as India’s second largest airport by area and most crucial airport, located in Delhi. With a runway length of 4430m, it is the nation’s longest airport and the world’s second busiest in seating capacity. Servicing over 65.3 million passengers in 2021, it offers top-notch facilities, including diverse shopping, dining options, and extensive passenger services. IGI is a key hub, hosting 59 airlines with connections to 97 destinations.
Third Largest Airport in India – Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore
- Location: Bangalore
- Opened: 2008
- Operator: Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL)
Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, the third-largest airport in India, pays homage to the city’s founder, Kempe Gowda I. Located 40 kilometers north, it accommodates around 25 million passengers annually, excelling in cargo operations and handling approximately 1000 daily flights. Boasting diverse services like dining, duty-free shopping, and medical facilities, it registers a significant passenger traffic of 31.9 million.