Amazing International Airports

An airport that can accommodate international flights is called an international airport, typically equipped with facilities for customs and immigration purposes such as checking of passports for local and international passengers. International airports are commonly larger, and often having longer runways and facilities that can accommodate large aircraft commonly used for international or intercontinental travel. Most International airports often also host flights within the country known as domestic flights , serving local passengers to fly to and from any regions of the country. The world’s busiest airport according to Airports Council International (ACI) specification in Geneva, Switzerland is defined according to measures of the three types of airport traffic: Passenger traffic: total loading and unloading of passengers boarding the plane, counted once, Cargo traffic: loading and unloading of cargo freight and mails in metric tonnes and Traffic movements: aircraft’s take-offs and landings. There are amazing international modern airports today, with amazing architectural designs making frequent travelers comfortable and amused. Many of these art displays are the country’s iconic symbol symbolizing their cultures and religious practices.

1) Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with given code by IATA: ATL also called Atlanta Airport, Hartsfield, and Hartsfield–Jackson, is located seven miles or 11 km south of Atlanta, Georgia’s central business district in the United States. Since 1998, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, and by number of landings and take-offs since 2005. In 2012, Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) hold the world’s busiest airport ranking.

2) Hong Kong International Airport or Chek Lap Kok Airport

Hong Kong International Airport (IATA: HKG) also known as Chek Lap Kok Airport, is the main airport in Hong Kong, located on the Chek Lap Kok island, which is largely returned for the construction of the airport, to distinguish it from its predecessor, the former Kai Tak Airport was closed and replaced by the new Hong Kong International Airport. Since 1998, the airport has been commercially operational, replacing the former Kai Tak Airport, and is an important regional transporting shipment of cargo, passengers and gateway for over 40 destinations in Mainland China and the rest of Asia. Chek Lap Kok airport is currently the world’s busiest passenger and busiest cargo gateway airports. HKIA is an important contributor to the economy of  Hong Kong, with employees working approximately 60,000. The HKIA has about 90 airlines operating flights from the airport to over 150 cities around the world. The HKIA has surpassed Memphis International Airport  to become the world’s busiest airport according to cargo traffic.

3) London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow

London Heathrow Airport ( IATA: LHR) or Heathrow airport is a major international airport serving London, England, located in the London Borough of Hillington, in West London. The LHR is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and as of 2012, in terms of passenger traffic, LHR is the 3rd busiest airport in the world, handling more international passengers than any other airport in the world. Inside the Heathrow Airport passengers who wanted to pray before their flights can find in each terminal multi-faith prayer room or counseling room Anglican, Catholic, free church, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh chaplains or ministers. In addition, an underground vault adjacent to the old traffic control tower located underground a prayer room, the St. George’s Interdenominational Chapel is found, where Christian services take place. The chaplains or religious ministers in this prayer room organize and lead prayers at certain times.

4) Chicago Midway International Airport

Chicago Midway International Airport, (IATA: MDW) formerly known as  Chicago Air Park, is an airport in Chicago, Illinois, United States, located on Chicago City’s southwest side, eight miles (13 km) from Chicago Loop. The Chicago Midway Airport is the second largest passenger airport and in terms of passenger traffic, MDW was the 30th busiest airport in the United States and in the metropolitan area of Chicago, as well as the state of Illinois, next to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD) also locally known as O’Hare Airport, O’Hare Field, Chicago International Airport, or simply O’Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern most corner of Chicago, Illinois, 17 miles or 27 km northwest of the Chicago Loop, the central business district (CBD). O’Hare airport is the primary airport serving the Chicago area, with Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), about 10 miles or 16 kilometers closer to the Chicago Loop, serving as a secondary airport for low-cost carriers or budget airlines. O’Hare was the world’s busiest airport until year 2005, in regards to takeoffs and landings. O’Hare was the busiest airport in the world in terms of the number of passengers in 1998. But due to limits imposed by the federal government to reduce flight delays at O’Hare Airport, it was surpassed in 2005 by the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport became the busiest by the former metric. However, in terms of aircraft movements, O’Hare Airport became the world’s second busiest airport.

5)  John F. Kennedy International Airport

John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK) located in a municipal corporation created when a county is merged with populated areas within it or called borough of Queens in New York City. JFK International Airport is owned by the City of New York and leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. JFK airport is about 12 miles or 19 kilometers southeast of Lower Manhattan, New York. JFK airport became the busiest international air passenger gateway in the United States in 2011, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North America. In 1948, it was dedicated as the New York International Airport, and until the year 1963, the airport was commonly named as Idlewild Airport, and was renamed John F. Kennedy in memory of the late 35th President of the United States. Over ninety airlines operate out of JFK international airport, and became the home base of operations for JetBlue Airways and is a major international gateway hub for Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. JFK has been a hub for Pan American World Airways, Trans World Airlines, Eastern Air Lines and Gemini Air Cargo National Airlines. JFK  International Airport is one of the two airports in North America, with scheduled flights to all six inhabited continents aside from the Toronto Pearson International Airport, an international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport ( IATA code: EWR), known as the former Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport, which stands apart widely the municipal boundary between Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States. The EWR airport is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, owned by the city of Newark. The Newark Liberty International Airport is located about 15 miles or 24 km southwest of Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Newark Airport is the New York -New Jersey busiest airports in terms of flights in the metropolitan area and was the first major airport in the United States. The airports in the metropolitan area of New York combine to create the largest airport system in the United States, the 2nd largest and busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic, and first largest in the world in terms of total flight operations. Newark Liberty International Airport handled 34 million passengers as of 2012, while JFK International Airport handled 49.3 million, and LaGuardia INternational Airport  handled 25.7 million. Newark Liberty is the third-largest hub for United Airlines (after Houston International Airport and Chicago O’Hare airport), which is the airport’s largest tenant (operating within all of Terminal C and part of Terminal A). FedEx Express is Newark airport’s second largest tenant, whose third largest cargo hub uses three buildings on two million square feet of airport property.

6)  Toronto Pearson International Airport

Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA: YYZ) also known as Lester B. Pearson International Airport or locally called  Pearson Airport or Toronto Pearson, is an international airport serving its metropolitan area, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the an urban agglomeration (an extended area in a city or town, comprising the built-up area of a municipality and any suburbs) known as Golden Horseshoe that is home to 8.7 million people.  The YYZ International airport is located 22.5 kilometers or 14.0 miles northwest of Downtown  Toronto, in the adjacent  Mississauga municipality, which is opposite to the name. The Toronto Pearson International Airport is named in honor of Lester B. Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada. Pearson airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, and is the world’s 35th busiest airport by total passenger traffic currently, and the 23rd busiest airport by international passenger traffic and 18th busiest airport by aircraft movements. The Toronto Pearson International Airport was chosen as the best global airport by the UK-based Institute of Transport Management in 2006. Pearson airport is the largest airport for Air Canada, making it a major Star Alliance hub airport. Pearson airport is also a hub for passenger airlines such as WestJet, Air Canada Express, Air Transat, CanJet, Sunwing Airlines  as well as FedEx Express cargo airline. The Toronto Pearson International airport is operated by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) as part of National Airports System for Transport Canada. Toronto Pearson International Airport Terminal 1 is the 11th largest airport terminal in the world in terms of floor area.

7)  Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport referred to by the International Air Transport ( IATA) airport code LAX,(letters pronounced individually as L-A-X) is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second most populated metropolitan area in the United States. LAX is located in southwestern Los Angeles along the Pacific coast in the neighborhood of Westchester, 16 miles (26 km) from Downtown Los Angeles, owned and operated by former the Department of Airports, now known as Los Angeles World Airports, an agency of the Los Angeles city government. LAX was the 6th busiest airport in the world in 2012, and in 2011, LAX airport holds the claim for the world’s busiest origin and destination (O & D) airport, meaning it had the most non-connecting passengers. LAX is the only airport to rank among the top five U.S. airports for both passenger and cargo traffic. LAX is known as the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles Area, however, there were other airports serving the region such as Long Beach Airport, Palm Springs International Airport, Bob Hope Airport, John Wayne Airport and the LA/Ontario International Airport.

8)  McCarran International Airport

McCarran International Airport ( IATA code: LAS), was named after former Nevada Senator Pat McMarran (1876-1954), is the principal commercial airport serving Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, United States, located at five miles or 8 km south of Downtown Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area (not governed by its own local municipality which is administered as part of larger administrative divisions, like a county, borough, township, parish, city, canton, state, province or country) of Paradise in Clark County, covering 2,800 acres (1,100 ha) and has four runways. McCarran airport and the DOA are self-sufficient enterprises, requiring no money from the County’s general fund.  In 2012 McCarran International airport ranked 24th in the world’s busiest airport for passenger traffic, ranked 8th in the world for aircraft movements. Throughout the airport terminals at the McCarran Airport baggage area has more than 1,234 slot machines, owned and operated by Michael Gaughan Airport Slots. McCarran Airport served as Great Lakes Airlines’ hub. LAS is a focus city (commonly used by low cost carriers that primarily fly point-to-point and do not have large concentrations of hub operations) for Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air, and is the largest operation base for both Allegiant and Southwest. In February 2012, the McMarran airport became a crew and maintenance base for Spirit Airlines. McMarran International Airport Terminal 1 handles most flights and contains a total of 96 gates in four concourses, while the Terminal 2 opened on December 18, 1991, known as The Charter International Terminal was used for all international as well as most charter flights into Las Vegas. On June 27, 2012, the new Terminal 3, opened, and is used for all international flights as well as some domestic airlines.

9) Miami International Airport

Miami International Airport (IATA code: MIA) and historically known as Wilcox Field, is the primary airport serving the area of South Florida.The MIA airport is in a Miami-Dade County unincorporated area, eight miles or 13 km northwest of Downtown Miami, in metropolitan Miami, between the Miami cities, Hialeah, Doral, Miami Springs, Virginia Gardens village, and the unincorporated neighborhood Fountainebleau. Miami International Airport is one of the largest hubs or airports in the United States, and the largest gateway between the United States and Latin America, owing to its tourist attraction’s proximity, local economic growth, large populations of local Latin American and European passengers, and strategic location to handle connecting traffic between North America, Latin America, and Europe. The MIA ranked first airports in the United States by percentage of international flights and second by volume of international passengers in 2011, behind only JFK International Airport New York. The MIA also ranks as the 12th busiest airport in the United States by passenger count annually, and is the busiest airport in the state of Florida.

10) Raleigh–Durham International Airport

Raleigh–Durham International Airport (IATA code:RDU) is a public international airport 4.5 miles or 7 km northeast of the Morrisville town in Wake County, North Carolina. The RDU airport covers 4,929 acres (1,995 ha) and has three runways and 352 daily flights direct flights to 38 domestic and international cities. RDU is one of the busiest international airport in North Carolina with more than 9 million passengers traveled through the airport in 2011. The RDU Airport Authority is in charge of the airport facilities and its operations is controlled by a board of representatives from the counties of Wake and Durham, and the cities of Raleigh and Durham.

11) Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (IATA code: CDG) also known as Roissy Airport or in French term as Roissy, is the largest airport in France and one of the world’s principal aviation centers, named after the leader of the Free French Forces and founder of the French Fifth Republic, Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970). The CDG airport serves as the Air France principal hub. The Charles de Gaulle Airport  is the 7th world’s busiest airport in 2012, in terms of passengers and aircraft movements, and Europe’s second busiest airport (after London Heathrow Airport) in passengers served. CDG airport is also the 10th world’s busiest airport and Europe’s busiest airport in aircraft movement. CDG airport is the 5th busiest airport in the world as in cargo traffic, and the second busiest in Europe after Frankfurt Airport. 

Frankfurt am Main Airport

Frankfurt Airport ( IATA code: FRA) commonly known as Frankfurt Airport and in German term as Flughafen Frankfurt am Main or Rhein-Main-Flughafen, is a major international airport located in Frankfurt, Germany, operated and managed by the Fraport transport company. Frankfurt Airport is by far the busiest airport by passenger traffic in Germany, and the 3rd busiest airport in Europe after London Heathrow Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and in 2012 FRA was the 11th busiest airports worldwide. The Frankfurt airport is located in the central Frankfurt-Rhine Main region, the second largest metropolitan region in Germany, which itself has a central location in the west-central European megalopolis a densely populated region. A railway and motorway connection, is located at the airport serves as a major transportation hub to the greater region, less than two hours by ground to Cologne, Stuttgart and the Ruhr Area.

Gatwick Airport, London

Gatwick Airport (IATA code: LGW), is located 3.1 mi (5.0 km) north of the center of Crawley, West Sussex, and 29.5 mi (47.5 km) south of Central London. Gatwick airport is also known as London Gatwick International Airport (LGW), it is London’s second largest international airport and the second busiest airport in London by total passenger traffic in the United Kingdom after Heathrow airport.

12)  George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas

George Bush Itercontinental Airport, (IATA code: IAH) is an international airport Class B in Houston, Texas, serving the fourth largest populated city in the United States, and serving metropolitan area of Houston-The Woodlands Sugar Land, the 5th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located about 23 miles or 37 km north of Downtown Houston, between U.S. Highway 59 and the Interstate 45. George Bush Intercontinental Airport has scheduled flights to domestic and international destinations, and in 2011,  served 40,187,442 passengers in 2011 making the airport the tenth busiest for total passengers in North America. In 2006, The IAH airport was named the fastest growing of the top ten airports in the United States by the United States Department of Transportation. The average of 600 daily departure flights, made Houston George Bush Intercontinental airport as the largest hub for the United Airlines.

13)  Shanghai Pudong International Airport, China

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (IATA code: PVG)is Shanghai’s primary international airport, and a major aviation hub for Asia. The city’s other major airport, is the Hongqiao International Airport mainly serving domestic flights. The PVG airport is the main hub for China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines, and a major international hub for  the hub for privately owned Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines , and UPS and DHL, an Asian-Pacific cargo hub. In July 2012, the DHL hub, opened, and claimed to be the biggest express hub in Asia. Shanghai Pudong Airport is a fast-growing hub for both passenger and cargo traffic, and was named as the 3rd world’s busiest airport by cargo traffic, with 3,227,914 metric tonnes handled in 2010.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, China

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport ( IATA code:SHA) is the main domestic airport serving Shanghai, with limited international flights. Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is located near the Hongqiao town in Changning District, 13 kilometres west of downtown Shanghai, and is closer to the city center than the  Shanghai. Hongqiao Airport is a hub for Shanghai Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Juneyao Airlines and the Spring Airlines, making SHA as the 4th busiest airport in Mainland China, and the 41st busiest airport in the world. Before the completion of Shanghai Pudong International Airport in 1999, Hongqiao Airport served as Shanghai’s primary airport, when almost all international flights were moved to Pudong. The Hongqiao airport currently serves mainly domestic flights, as well as five international or cross-border routes with city-to-city services to central Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, Gimpo International Airport in central Seoul, South Korea, Songshan International Airport  in central Taipei, Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong and Macau International Airport in Macau. On January 1, 2013, International passengers with passport holders issued by 45 countries do not need a visa if transiting through Hongqiao Airport provided they hold valid passports.

14) Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport ( IATA code: SZX), formerly known as Shenzhen Huangtian Airport is located near the villages of Huangtian and Fuyong in Bao’an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. The SZX airport is located at about 32 km northwest of the city center. SZX airport is the hub for Shenzhen’s flag carrier aircraft, Shenzhen Airlines, and Shenzhen Donghai Airlines cargo airlines and SF Airlines. Shenzhen Bao’an International airport is a focus city for China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines. The SZX airport also serves as an Asian-Pacific cargo hub for UPS Airlines. The Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is undergoing major expansion with a new terminal and a second runway was also recently completed. SZX airport is one of the three largest airport hubs serving southern China, with Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok Airport)  and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA code: CAN) is Guangzhou’s main airport, the capital of Guangdong province, China. Both airport codes were inherited from the old airport and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) airport code. CAN airport is the main hub of China Southern Airlines and a focus city for Hainan Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines. In 2012, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport was the second busiest airport in China in 2012 and 18th busiest airport in the world in passenger traffic, with 48,309,410 people handled. As for cargo traffic, the Guangzhou Baiyun International airport was the 3rd busiest airport in China and the 21st busiest international airport in the world, was also the 2nd busiest airport in China in traffic movements.

Beijing Capital International Airport

Beijing Capital International Airport (IATA code: PEK)is Beijing’s main international airport located 32 km (20 mi) northeast of the city center of Beijing, in an enclave of Chaoyang District and Shunyi District. The airport is owned and operated by a state controlled company, the Beijing Capital International Airport Company Limited. The International Air Transport Association (IATA).  airport’s code PEK, is based on the city’s former name’s romanizition, which is Peking, the capital of Beijing has rapidly rose in rankings of the busiest airports in the world in the past decade. In 2009, PEK airport had become the busiest airport in Asia in terms of passenger traffic and total traffic movements. Beijing Capital International Airport is the 2nd busiest airport in the world as of 2012, in terms of passenger behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In 2008, Beijing Capital airport expanded Terminal 3 to accommodate the growing traffic volume, and in time for the Olympic Games. PEK airport is the second largest airport terminal in the world after the terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, and the 6th largest building in the world in terms of area.

15)  Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (IATA code: TPE) is Taiwan’s largest airport, located in Dayuan Township, Taoyuan County, Taiwan. TPE airport is one of five Taiwanese airports with regular international flights, and the busiest international air entry point among the airport in Taiwan. TPE airport is the main international hub for Eva Air and China Airlines. Since 1979, the Taiwan Taoyuan airport is opened for commercial operations and is an important regional trans-shipment center, passenger hub, and gateway for China destinations and Asia. The old and former airport was known as Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (CKS International Airport) and in 2006, this name was changed to its current name, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, and is one of two airports serving Taipei and northern Taiwan, and the other airport is the Taipei Songhan Airport, located within Taipei City limits and served as Taipei’s international airport until 1979. Songshan now mainly serves chartered flights, most of which are to and from mainland China cross-strait charter, special chartered flights between Taiwan and China, and across the Taiwan Strait domestic flights, and few international flights.

Taipei Songshan Airport

Taipei Songshan Airport ( IATA code: TSA), is a midsize commercial airport and military airbase located in Songhan, Taipei, Taiwan. The Taipei Songhan Airport civilian section, officially called Taipei International Airport has scheduled flights serving Taiwan, mainland China, South Korea, Japan, and almost all international flights outside Taipei area served by Taoyuan International Airport.  Taipei Songshan Airport also served as the base of certain Republic of China Air Force units as part of the Songshan Air Force Base, and the Songshan Base Command‘s main mission is to serve the Republic of China’s President and the Vice President.

16) Tokyo International Airport

Tokyo International Airport ( IATA code: HND) commonly called as Haneda Airport or Tokyo Haneda Airport, is one of the two primary airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, Japan, located in Ōta, Tokyo, 14 km (8.7 mi) south of Tokyo Station. Haneda Airport handles almost all domestic flights incoming and outgoing flights in Tokyo, while Narita International Airport handles the large majority of international flights. A committed international terminal was opened at Haneda Airport in 2010, in conjunction with the completion of a fourth runway, allowing increase in international flights going to Haneda, which previously had only scheduled charter flights to Seoul South Korea, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei. The Tokyo International Airport or Haneda Airport was the 2nd busiest airport in Asia by passenger, and the 4th busiest airport in the world, after Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, Asia’s busiest airport Beijing Capital Airport and London Heathrow Airport. With combined Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport Tokyo has the 3rd busiest city airport system in the world, after New York City and London. 

Narita International Airport

Narita International Airport (IATA code: NRT) also known as Tokyo Narita Airport, is the primary international airport that serves  Japan’s Greater Tokyo Area, located at 57.5 km (35.7 mi) east of Tokyo Station and 7 km (4.3 mi) east-southeast of Narita Station in Narita City, and the adjacent town of Shibayama. Narita handles the majority of international passenger traffic entry and departing Japan, and is also a major connecting point for air traffic between Asia and the Americas. The NRT airport is the second-busiest airport in terms of passenger in Japan, and the 9th busiest air freight or cargo hub in the world. NRT airport serves as the main international hub of the flag carrier of Japan, the Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), Nippon Cargo Airlines, and also Jetstar Japan low-cost carriers and AirAsia Japan (airline is joint venture between AirAsia Malaysia and All Nippon Airways of Japan). The Narita International Airport is classified as a first class airport under the Japanese law, also serving as an Asian hub for Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport (IATA code: KIX) is an international airport located on an artificial island or man-made island in the middle of Osaka Bay, 38 km (24 mi) southwest of Ōsaka Station, located within three municipalities, in the north Izumisano, south Sennan, and central Tajiri in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The Kansai International airport is off the Honshu, the seventh largest island in the world, and the second most populous after Java Island in Indonesia. The KIX airport serves as an international hub for  All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL) and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA), and also serves as a hub for Peach airlines,the first international Japan’s low-cost carrier. Kansai International Airport opened and operated on September 4, 1994 to relieve overcrowding at Osaka International Airport (IATA code: ITM) also called Osaka-Itami International Airport, which is closer to Osaka city and now handles only domestic flights. Kansai Airport has become an Asian hub as of May 2012, with 499 weekly flights to Asia, 66 weekly flights to Europe, Middle East and to North America with 35 weekly flights.

17)  Incheon International Airport, South Korea

Incheon International Airport (IATA code: ICN) is the largest and primary airport in South Korea, serving the Seoul National Capital Area, and one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. From year 2005 until 2012, for seven years in a row, it was rated worldwide best airport by Airports Council International (ACI).  The Incheon International airport has a private sleeping rooms, a casino, spa, golf course, ice skating rink, indoor gardens and a Museum of Korean Culture. According to Airport authorities that ICN airport is the fastest airports in the world for customs checking processing. In 2012, the ICN airport duty-free shopping mall has been rated by the Business Traveler as the world’s best duty free shop, for three years in a row. The Incheon International Airport is located 48 km (30 mi) west of the capital and largest city, Seoul, South Korea. Incheon International Airport (ICN), is the main hub for Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and the Polar Air Cargo. The airport serves as a hub for international civilian air transportation and cargo traffic in East Asia. Incheon International Airport is also currently  the 8th busiest airport in Asia in terms of passengers, the 4th busiest airport in the world by cargo traffic, and as of 2010, the 8th busiest airport in the world in terms of international passengers. In early 2001, the ICN airport opened and operated for business to replace the old Gimpo International Airport, serving mostly domestic destinations plus shuttle flights to alternate airports in Japan, Taiwan and China.

18) Doha International Airport, Doha, Qatar

Doha International Airport (IATA code: DOH) is the only commercial airport in Qatar, featuring 60 check-in gates, 42 parking bays for aircraft and 8 baggage claim belts. Doha International airport suffers from excessive utilization even though the airport has been expanded numerous times with its current capacity stands at 12 million passengers per year. DOH airport is one of the longest runway at a civil airport, and is the main base of Qatar’s flag carrier the Qatar Airways which is expanding rapidly. The Doha International airport was mostly used by Qatari holiday makers and foreign workers coming for the oil and gas sector in previous years. Currently, the DOH airport is attracting more people such as holiday makers and transit travelers. Doha International Airport is the 27th busiest airport in the world by cargo traffic as of 2010. In June to September 2013, the first phase of the new Hamad International Airport and will replaced the Doha International Airport, the existing airport.

Hamad International Airport , Doha, Qatar

Hamad International Airport ( International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) code:OTHH) is the international airport facility in Doha, capital of Qatar, the former New Doha International Airport (NDIA). Hamad International Airport was originally slated to replace the old Doha International Airport in 2009 as Qatar’s only international airport, but the opening of he new airport was set in mid-2013, after a series of costly delays. The New Doha International Airport has been built 5 kilometers east of the current airport. The flag carrier Qatar Airways is due to move into the new airport once all the lounges and duty free shops are completed with the operation slated to take place slowly from June to September 2013. The chairman of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Abdul Aziz Al Noaimi as well as a spokesperson from Qatar Airways, the operator of the airport and main customer, have indicated that the airport when the hub will open, it will be renamed Hamad International Airport.

Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport ( IATA code:DXB) is an international airport that serves Dubai and the Middle East major airline hub, and is the main airport of Dubai. Dubai International Airport is located in the district of Al Garhoud, 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of Dubai. The DXB  airport is operated by the Department of Civil Aviation and is the home base of Dubai’s international airlines, and flag carrier airline Emirates, Emirates Sky Cargo and FlyDubai, the Emirates hub is the largest airline hub in the Middle East. Dubai International Airport is also the base for FlyDubai, the low cost-carrier handling about 10.7% of passenger traffic. In April 2013, the DXB airport became a secondary hub for Qantas after a major partnership was formed with Emirates, and will use Dubai as the main stopover point for flights travelling to Europe. DXB is the 10th busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic , and in 2012 became the 3rd world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, and surpassed in global rankings the Hong Kong International Airport. 

Ben Gurion Airport, Israel

Ben Gurion Airport (IATA code: TLV) also referred to as Natbag by its Hebrew acronym, and is the main international airport in Israel, and in 2012 handles over 13.1 million passengers. Ben Gurion Airport is one of two airports serving the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area, the other being Sde Dov Airport (IATA code:SDV) also known as Dov Hoz Airport, which provides primarily domestic flights. Ben Gurion International Airport serves as an international gateway not only the metropolitan areas Tel Aviv and Jerusalem metropolitan areas but to the majority of Israel. The TLV airport serves as a hub for El Al, Israir Airlines and Arkia Israel Airlines. The Israel Airports Authority, a government owned corporation  manages and operated the Ben Gurion Airport all public airports and Israel’s border crossings. Ben Gurion airport is considered one of the most secured airports in the world, with a security forces with Israel Police officers, IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and Israel Border Police soldiers. The Ben Gurion Airport security guards operate both in uniform and as undercover to maintain a high level of vigilance and detect any possible threats. The TLV airport has been the target of numerous terrorist attacks, but there are no attempt to hijack a plane departing from Ben Gurion airport has succeeded.

Esenboğa International Airport , Ankara, Turkey

Esenboğa International Airport (IATA code:ESB) loclly known as ‘Ankara Esenboğa Havalimanı or Esenboğa Uluslararası Havalimanı, is an international airport located 28 km northeast of of the capital city of Turkey, Ankara, and has been operating since 1955. The the airport’s name comes from Esenboğa village (the g is pronounced silent), which means Serene Bull or Windflowing Bull, the modernized form of a Turkic warlord,  Isen Buga, in the army of Timur who settled his troops here during the 1402 Battle of Ankara. Esenboğa International Airport was awarded as the best airport in Europe by Europe’s Airport Council International (ACI) and the award presented to ESB airport officials in Manchester on June 17,2009, and the first time an ACI award was granted to a Turkish Airport. The ESB airport ranked 5th busiest airport in terms of total passenger traffic, 2nd busiest airport in terms of domestic traffic and 7th busiest airport  in terms of international traffic among airports in Turkey. Esenboğa International  Airport was designated as Space Shuttle for NASA as one of the emergency landing sites.

19)  Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, India

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (IATA code: BOM) formerly Sahar International Airport, is Mumbai’s primary international airport in India, named after Chhatrapati Shivaji, the 17th century Maratha emperor. The Airport’s International Air Transport Association (IATA) code, BOM is derived from the former name of Mumbai, as Bombay. The BOM airport is the 2nd busiest airport in India in terms of overall passenger traffic. The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, the Indira Gandhi International Airport and Chennai International Airport handles more than half of the air traffic in South Asia.The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is one among the few airports in the world to be located within the city’s municipal limits, located in the suburb of Santa Cruz and the Sahar neighborhood of Andheri suburb. In February 2006, the modernization of Mumbai International Airport Limited was appointed to carry a consortium of GVK Industries Ltd, Airports Company South Africa and Bidvest. This project was expected to be completed by end of 2013, but this has been delayed by another year to the end of 2014. The CSIA will be capable of handling 40 million passengers and 1 million metric tonnes of cargo annually once the project is completed, with a proposed six lane, elevated road connecting the new terminal with main arterial Western Express Highway.

Chennai International Airport, India

Chennai International Airport (IATA code: MAA) is the Indian metropolis Chennai’s primary airport, is spread across the suburban areas of Meenambakkam, Pallavaram and Tirusulam with passenger entry at Tirusulam and cargo entry at Meenambakkam. Chennai International Airport was the 3rd busiest airport at the end of December 2012, and was the 3rd busiest airport in India in terms of both international and overall passenger traffic. Chennai International Airport with Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport handles more than half of the air traffic in South Asia.The India’s domestic and the international terminals are named after K. Kamaraj and C.N. Annadurai, former chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, respectively. Chennai International Airport is India’s first airport to have international and domestic terminals adjacent to each other.The Chennai International airport is the regional headquarters of the Airports Authority of India for the union territories of former Pondicherry now called Puducherry and former Laccadive, now called Lakshadweep, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands and the southern region of India comprising the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka.

Indira Gandhi International Airport, India

Indira Gandhi International Airport ( IATA code: DEL) is the main international airport serving the National Capital Region of Delhi, India, located in city center of New Delhi, Palam south-west, named in honor of former India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and named as the busiest airport in India. With the beginning of operations at the new Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport of Delhi  has become largest and one of the most important aviation airport of India and South Asia, with a current capacity of handling more than 46 million passengers and aimed by 2030 at handling more than 100 million passengers. Indira Gandhi International Airport, along with Chennai International Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport of Mumbai, handles more than half of the air traffic in South Asia. The Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 is the 8th largest passenger terminal in the world. 

Kempegowda International Airport

Kempegowda International Airport (IATA code: BLR) is the former international airport known as  Bengaluru International Airport, an international airport that serves the Bangalore City, India. The KIA or former BIA airport is located 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) south of Devanahalli and is 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Bangalore central business district, 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Bangalore City Railway Station, replacing the HAL Bangalore International Airport also known as HAL Airport or Hindustan Airport.  Bengaluru International Airport was the 4th busiest airport in the country in terms of overall passenger traffic and 5th airport in terms of international passenger traffic for 2011 until 2012. Bengaluru International Airport has been awarded in 2011 as India’s Best Airport by the survey conducted by Skytrax. Bengaluru airport‘s name was changed to Kempegowda International Airport on July 18, 2013 after the Union Government approved the proposal to rename the airport after the founder of Bangalore, Kempe Gowda I by the Government of Karnataka.

20)  Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand

Suvarnabhumi Airport ( IATA code:BKK) also known as New Bangkok International Airport, is one of the two international airport that serves Bangkok, Thailand, and the other one is the Don Mueang International Airport. On September 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport  was opened officially for limited domestic flight service, and opened on September 28, 2006 for most domestic and all international commercial flights. Suvarnabhumi Airport is located in Racha Thewa in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan Province, about 25 kilometers (16 miles) east of Downtown Bangkok. The airport’s name Suvarnabhumi referred to the golden kingdom believed uncertainly have been located somewhere in Southeast Asia which the name was chosen by KingvBhumibol Adulvadej. The Suvarnabhumi airport is the main hub for Thailand’s flag carrier, Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways and Orient Thai Airlines, also serves as regional gateway and connecting point for numerous foreign carriers. Suvarnabhumi Airport is the 14th busiest airport in the world and the 6th busiest airport in Asia and the busiest airport in Thailand, having handled 53 million passengers in 2012, and is also serves as a major cargo hub, with a total of 96 airlines. The Suvarnabhumi airport inherited the IATA airport code, BKK, from Don Mueang Airport after the old airport ceased international commercial flights. A modern motorway no.7 (Thai motorway network) connects the airport, Bangkok, and the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard of Thailand, where most of the export manufacturing is produced. The 2nd busiest airport in Thailand in terms of passenger after Suvarnabhumi Airport is the Phuket International Airport serving Phuket Province of Thailand with a record in 2012 of 9.5 million arrivals and departures.

21) Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi International Airport, (IATA code:SIN) or typically known as Changi Airport, is the main airport in Singapore. The Changi airport is the major aviation hub in Southeast Asia, is about 17.2 kilometers (10.7 miles) north-east from the commercial center in Changi site. The Changi  airport, operated by the Changi Airport Group, and the home base of Singapore’s flag carrier, Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Silk Air, Scoot, Tiger Airways, Jetstar Asia Airways and Valuair. The Singapore Changi International Airport hub is serving more than 100 airlines operating 6,400 weekly flights connecting Singapore to over 250 cities in about 60 countries and territories worldwide as of May 2013. Until 30 March 2013, Changi airport served as Qantas Airways as secondary hub, using Singapore as the main stopover point for flights on the Kangaroo Route (term is trademarked by Qantas) between Australia and Europe. Qantas is the largest foreign airline operating from the airport, with over two million passengers annually, and served as an important contributor to the Singapore’s economy, with more than 28,000 people are employed at the airport, which accounts for over S$4.5 billion in output.

22)  Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the main international airport of Malaysia, and is also one of the major airports of South East Asia serving the Greater Klang Valley region comprising a number of cities, large towns, and other urban areas. The KLIA is built at a cost of US$3.5 billion in Selangor’s Sepang District, located about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the Kuala Lumpur city center. The KLIA airport can currently handle 40 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo a year, and was ranked the 14th world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic and is the 5th busiest international airport in Asia. KLIA was ranked in 2010 as the 29th busiest airport by cargo traffic. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is operated by Malaysia Airports (MAHB) Sepang Sdn Bhd and currently the major hub of Malaysia’s flag carrier Malaysia Airlines, MASkargo, AirAsia, AirAsia X, Malindo Air and Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

23)  Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia

Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (IATA code: CGK) or abbreviated SHIA or Soetta is the greater Jakarta’s main airport on the island of Java, Indonesia. The SHIA airport is named after the first President of Indonesia, Soekarno, and Mohammad Hatta, the first vice-president. The airport’s IATA code, CGK, is derived from a northwest district of the city, Cengkareng, and it is often called Cengkareng Airport by Indonesians, although the airport is administratively located within Tangerang, located about 20 kilometers west of Jakarta, in Tangerang, Banten. Soekarno–Hatta Airport or SHIA began operating since in 1985, and replaced the old Kemayoran Airport serving domestic flights in Central Jakarta, and Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in East Jakarta. SHIA airport was the 9th busiest airport in the world with 57.8 million passengers as of 2012.

24) Brunei International Airport, Brunei Darussalam

Brunei International Airport ( IATA code: BWN) the main international airport in the nation of Brunei, serving destinations across Asia and Oceania, and also serves as the base for the Royal Brunei Air Force at the Rimba Air Base which is located in the Brunei International Airport. The Brunei International Airport consists of an international terminal which can handle up to 2 million passengers, a cargo terminal with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes of cargo and as a royal terminal for the Sultan’s private flights. Brunei International Airport handled 1.3 million passengers as of 2005. The Brunei International airport is located about 10 minutes from the center of the capital. There are regular taxi services and regular public buses which goes around the city.

25)  Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippines

 

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (IATA code: MNL) or typically known as NAIA formerly known as Manila International Airport is the airport serving the general area of Manila and its metropolitan area, located along the border between the cities of Pasay and Parañaque City, about seven kilometers south of Manila proper, and southwest of Makati. NAIA is the main international gateway for travelers to the Philippines and is the hub for all Philippine airlines, managed and operated by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), a branch of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).  NAIA is the only airport serving the Manila area officially, however, in practice, both NAIA and Clark International Airport formerly known as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) located in the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, serving the Manila area, with Clark catering mostly to low-cost carriers that avail themselves of the lower landing fees than those charged at NAIA. Clark is set to replace NAIA as the primary airport of the Philippines in the long term. NAIA carried 27.1 million passengers, making it to the top 50 of busiest airports by passenger traffic in 2010. All terminals at NAIA (terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3) handled a record breaking annual passenger traffic of 29,552,264 making it as one of Asia’s busiest airports in 2011 and in 2012, NAIA also became the 34th busiest airport in the world, passenger volume increased to about eight percent to a total of 32.1 million passengers. NAIA Terminal 2 is exclusively used by Philippine Airlines for both its domestic and international flights, divided into two wings, the North Wing, for international flights, and the South Wing, which handles domestic operations.The NAIA Terminal 3, or NAIA-3, is the newest and biggest terminal in the NAIA complex, wherein construction started in 1997, serving all international operations, except for Philippine Airlines (PAL), are intended for Cebu Pacific Airlines International and domestic flights and Airphil Express (formerly Air Philippines) remained the only tenants for the first two years of its operation. The vast majority of international flights still operate from NAIA Terminal 1, with the exception of All Nippon Airways (ANA) being the first foreign-based carrier to operate out of Terminal 3 started in February 27, 2011. The NAIA Terminal 4 is known as the Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal.

Clark International Airport, Clark Pampanga, Philippines

Clark International Airport formerly known as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (IATA code: CRK) is a major aviation center in the Philippines located within the Clark Freport Zone, (former American air base, Clark Field Air Force Base) that serves the Angeles City general area in the northwest of Manila in the Philippines. The airport is surrounded by the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat, and currently can reach Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway linking to North Luzon Expressway. Clark also serves the general vicinity of Greater Manila Area and the Luzon northern regions. Clark International Airport i the hub for Philippines AirAsia, Cebu Pacific (international and domestic flights) and TigerAir Philippines.  The Clark International airport mainly serves low-cost carriers or typically called budget airlines. The Clark International Airport’s name is derived from the former American Clark Air Force Base which was the largest overseas base of the United States Air Force until it was closed in June 1991 (after the Mount Pinatubo eruption) and was turned over to the Government of the Philippines. The airport is managed and operated by Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), a government-owned enterprise, and the base facility at the southern part is utilized by the Philippine Air Force as Clark Air Base.