Biggest Airport in India: 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 2026, 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.
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India’s Largest Airport By Area 2026
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, in Shamshabad, Hyderabad, is the largest airport in India by area, covering 5,500 acres (2,200 hectares). It opened on March 23, 2008, replacing the old Begumpet Airport, and is named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Managed by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), it became the first in India to start domestic e-boarding in 2015 and international e-boarding in 2020. Today, it is the fourth busiest airport in India, serving over 25 million passengers and handling nearly 150,000 tonnes of cargo every year.
Jewar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh is set to become India’s largest and Asia’s biggest airport by 2026. 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.
List of Top 10 Biggest Airports in India by Area and Passenger Traffic – 2026
India is home to several expansive airports that lead not only in terms of physical area but also in annual passenger numbers. This reflects the country’s significant growth in air travel in 2026. Here’s a look at the top 10 biggest airports, their locations, India airport code, area, and annual passenger traffic.
| Airport Name | City | IATA Code | Total Area (Acres) | Annual Passengers (2024–2025, millions) |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Airport | Hyderabad | HYD | 5,500 | 29.17 |
| Indira Gandhi International Airport | Delhi | DEL | 5,106 | 79.26 |
| Kempegowda International Airport | Bengaluru | BLR | 4,008 | 41.88 |
| Manohar International Airport | Goa | GOX | 2,132 | 3.73 |
| Goa International Airport (Dabolim) | Goa | GOI | 1,700 | 7.26 |
| Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport | Kolkata | CCU | 1,640 | 21.83 |
| Birsa Munda Airport | Ranchi | IXR | 1,560 | 2.45 |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport | Mumbai | BOM | 1,500 | 55.12 |
| Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport | Nagpur | NAG | 1,460 | 2.34 |
| Cochin International Airport | Kochi | COK | 1,300 | 11.14 |
Top 10 Largest Airports in India – Detailed Insight
Below is a list of the biggest airports in India, serving as vital gateways for millions of travellers and connecting key cities across the country.
1. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is located in Shamshabad, about 24 km south of the city. Started in 2008, it is the largest airport in India by area and a major aviation hub for South India. The airport connects both domestic and international destinations and is renowned for passenger experience, cargo facilities, etc.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) |
| Owner and Operator | GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd |
| Location | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Type | International |
| Terminals | 1 Integrated (expansion plans underway) [7] |
| Major Airlines | Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, Qatar Airways |
| Key Routes | Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai, Singapore |
| Connectivity | ORR, highways, taxis, and planned metro |
| Map Link | Rajiv Gandhi International Airport |
2. Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
Located in New Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest airport in India. It handles close to 80 million passengers annually. DIAL manages it and serves as a national and global hub, featuring four runways, world-class terminals, and advanced cargo facilities. The Delhi airport area in acres is around 5,106 acres.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) |
| Owner and Operator | Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) |
| Location | New Delhi, Delhi |
| Type | International |
| Terminals | 3 (T1, T2, T3), T4 in plan |
| Major Airlines | Air India, Vistara, IndiGo, Emirates |
| Key Routes | Mumbai, Bengaluru, London, Singapore |
| Connectivity | Metro, expressways, buses, taxis |
| Map Link | Indira Gandhi International Airport |
3. Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
Kempegowda International Airport, one of the largest airports in India, connects Bengaluru to over 80 destinations. It has two terminals and is the 3rd busiest Airport in India. Terminal 2 of this airport is also the most beautiful airport in India. It is also recognised as a global gateway for South India’s IT, biotech, and business travellers.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) |
| Owner and Operator | Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) |
| Location | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Type | International |
| Terminals | 2, with expansion |
| Major Airlines | Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, Lufthansa |
| Key Routes | Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai, Frankfurt |
| Connectivity | Highway, bus, and the upcoming Metro line |
| Map Link | Kempegowda International Airport |
4. Manohar International Airport, Goa
Manohar International Airport at Mopa, North Goa, is among the biggest airports in India. This airport handles around 4.6 million passengers yearly and is planned for expansion to serve 35 million in the future. It is designed as a catalyst for tourism and logistics in the region.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Manohar International Airport (GOX) |
| Owner and Operator | GMR Goa International Airport Ltd (GGIAL) |
| Location | Mopa, North Goa |
| Type | International |
| Terminals | 1 (with planned expansions) |
| Major Airlines | IndiGo, AirAsia India, charter carriers |
| Key Routes | Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Dubai, Muscat |
| Connectivity | Highways, taxi, bus |
| Map Link | Manohar International Airport |
5. Goa International Airport, Dabolim
Goa International Airport has been the primary gateway to Goa since 1955. It serves tourists, business travellers, and residents. Its dual use with the Indian Navy limits operational hours; hence, a second airport at Mopa was inaugurated to ease congestion.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Goa International Airport (GOI) |
| Owner and Operator | Airports Authority of India |
| Location | Dabolim, South Goa |
| Type | International |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Major Airlines | IndiGo, Air India, Go First |
| Key Routes | Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Oman |
| Connectivity | Highways, railway, taxi, bus |
| Map Link | Goa International Airport Dabolim |
6. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, also known as Kolkata Airport, is one of the major Airports in India. It connects West Bengal and neighbouring states to India and the world. Inaugurated in 1924, it now serves over 20 million passengers annually, making it a crucial economic driver for the East.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) |
| Owner and Operator | Airports Authority of India |
| Location | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Type | International |
| Terminals | 1 (expansion underway) |
| Major Airlines | IndiGo, Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways |
| Key Routes | Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok, Dhaka |
| Connectivity | Metro, railway, major highways |
| Map Link | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport |
7. Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi
Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport, also known as Ranchi hawai adda, is Jharkhand’s main air gateway. It is regarded as one of the largest Airports in India by area. It is vital to the regional industry, serving over 2 million passengers annually and linking Eastern India to major cities.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Birsa Munda Airport (IXR) |
| Owner and Operator | Airports Authority of India |
| Location | Ranchi, Jharkhand |
| Type | Domestic/International |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Major Airlines | IndiGo, Air India, Vistara |
| Key Routes | Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai |
| Connectivity | Railway, highways, taxi, bus |
| Map Link | Birsa Munda Airport Ranchi |
Also Read: List of Top 10 Oldest Railway Station in India
8. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
Mumbai’s international gateway is India’s second-busiest airport. It is among the first international Airports in India and handles over 48 million passengers annually. Its two terminals and three runways connect Mumbai to the world’s primary business and leisure cities. The Mumbai airport area in acres is around 1,850 acres.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) |
| Owner and Operator | Mumbai International Airport Ltd |
| Location | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Type | International |
| Terminals | 2 (T1 domestic, T2 International) |
| Major Airlines | Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, British Airways |
| Key Routes | Delhi, Bengaluru, Dubai, London |
| Connectivity | Metro, highways, buses, taxis |
| Map Link | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport |
9. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur
Serving Nagpur and central India, this airport has witnessed significant upgrades and is a cargo/logistics hub due to its central location. This airport handles more than 3 million passengers annually.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (NAG) |
| Owner and Operator | Airports Authority of India |
| Location | Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| Type | International |
| Terminals | 1 (expansion in plan) |
| Major Airlines | IndiGo, Go First, Air India |
| Key Routes | Delhi, Mumbai, Sharjah, Doha |
| Connectivity | Highway, railway, taxi, bus |
| Map Link | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport |
10. Cochin International Airport, Kochi
India’s first fully solar-powered airport, COK, is near Kochi, Kerala, and a southern hub for the Gulf region and tourism. It is the 7th biggest airport in India by area, and also the first international airport in India.
| Feature | Details |
| Airport Name | Cochin International Airport (COK) |
| Owner and Operator | Cochin International Airport Ltd |
| Location | Nedumbassery, Kerala |
| Type | International |
| Terminals | 3 (Domestic, International, Business) |
| Major Airlines | Indigo, Air India, Emirates, Saudi, Qatar |
| Key Routes | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Delhi, Mumbai |
| Connectivity | National highways, railway, metro, and bus |
| Map Link | Cochin International Airport |
Also Read: Top 10 Busiest Railway Stations in India in 2026
FAQs
Q: Which is the largest airport in India by passenger traffic?
Ans: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), New Delhi, is said to be the largest airport in India by passenger traffic.
Q: Which is the biggest airport in India?
Ans: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), Hyderabad, has the biggest land area among all the airports in India.
Q: Which is the fastest-growing airport in India?
Ans: Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bengaluru, is regarded as the fastest-growing airport in India.
Q: Which are the top 5 biggest airports in India?
Ans: The top 5 biggest airports in India are Indira Gandhi (DEL), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (BOM), Kempegowda (BLR), Rajiv Gandhi (HYD), and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU).
Q: Which of the biggest airports in India has the maximum runways?
Ans: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) has four runways, which is the highest for any airport in India.
Q: Which biggest airport in India is the busiest?
Ans: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the busiest airport by passenger volume.
Q: Which is the biggest airport in Eastern India?
Ans: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), Kolkata, is regarded as the biggest airport in Eastern India.
Q: What is the total number of Airports in India?
Ans: There are around a total of 486 to 487 airports in India.
Published by: Murali Malalur
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