10 Biggest Airports in India by Area as of 2025, No. 7 Will Surprise You!

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From terminals the size of small cities to runways long enough to make marathon runners weep, these aviation hubs are where passengers can get their daily step count without ever leaving the airport.

Currently, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad (HYD) reigns supreme at a whopping 5,500 acres. Although it is about to be dethroned by the upcoming Jewar International Airport (DXN) in Uttar Pradesh, poised to become not just India’s largest but Asia’s biggest airport!

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) is preparing to join the ranks at 4th, once the operation begins, as it spans over 2,866 acres.

Biggest Airports in India by Area

So buckle up (seriously, your gate might be in another time zone) as we explore the 10 biggest airports in India by area!

1. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (HYD) – 5,500 acres

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) sprawls across 5,500 acres (2,200 hectares) in Shamshabad, Hyderabad. It was opened on March 23, 2008 by replacing Begumpet Airport.

RGIA was the first airport in India to implement solar power for its operations. It now generates over 25 megawatts of solar energy that powers nearly 30% of the airport’s daily requirements. The terminal roof was specially designed to collect rainwater, harvesting approximately 2 billion litres annually.

The airport has a unique “Heritage Wall” featuring artefacts dating back to the Nizam era, making it the only airport where you can get a history lesson while waiting for your baggage.

2. Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL) – 5,100 acres

Spreading across 5,100 acres in the capital city, Delhi’s IGI Airport (DEL) serves as the primary gateway to North India. Its Terminal 3, at the time of construction in 2010, was the world’s 8th largest building and India’s largest public building.

The airport handles more than 1,200 flight movements daily—that’s almost one flight every minute!

Its automated baggage handling system can process 12,800 bags per hour and includes 6 kilometres of conveyor belts. The terminal features the world’s largest airport carpet. It covers approximately 170,000 square meters, which was custom-woven to depict traditional Indian motifs.

IGI Airport has its own dedicated power plant and water treatment facility, essentially functioning as a self-sufficient mini-city.

3. Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore (BLR) – 4,000 acres

Serving India’s Silicon Valley, Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) occupies 4,000 acres and was built to accommodate Bangalore’s booming tech industry!

KIA was the first airport in India to use face recognition as an optional boarding method, eliminating the need for physical boarding passes or identification. The airport’s Terminal 2, completed in 2022, is nicknamed “Terminal in a Garden”. It features 10,000+ plants and trees representing Karnataka’s 5 ecological zones.

The airport has a special “Flower Terminal” dedicated exclusively to handling flower exports, processing over 30,000 tons annually. In a nod to Bangalore’s reputation as India’s pub capital, the airport houses India’s first airport microbrewery!

4. Manohar International Airport, Goa (GOX) – 2,132 acres

Goa’s newest airport, Manohar International Airport (GOX), named after former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, covers 2,132 acres and opened in January 2023 to complement the existing Dabolim Airport (GOI).

The terminal building was designed to resemble a giant seashell when viewed from above, paying homage to Goa’s coastal identity. The interior features hand-painted murals depicting Goan life, created by local artists. This is India’s first airport to implement 100% LED lighting throughout, reducing energy consumption by approximately 30%.

The airport constructed special “wildlife corridors” underneath its runways to allow safe passage for local animals. This was done, particularly for addressing concerns about disrupting turtle migration routes. Staying true to Goa’s reputation for relaxation, it’s the only Indian airport with dedicated “beach simulation rooms” where delayed passengers can experience artificial sunlight, sand, and ocean sounds.

5. Dabolim Airport, Goa (GOI) – 1,700 acres

Goa’s original airport, spanning 1,700 acres, operates as a civil enclave within a naval airbase.

Dabolim (GOI) is one of the few airports in the world where operations temporarily pause at regular intervals throughout the day to allow naval flight training.

The airport’s unique location means it handles both civilian holidaymakers and military jets on the same runways.

The terminal’s architectural design incorporates elements from Portuguese colonial architecture, reflecting Goa’s historical influence. During peak tourist season, the airport processes more international charter flights than any other Indian airport. Planes arrive from over 25 countries!

6. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (CCU) – 1,640 acres

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) occupies 1,640 acres and serves as the gateway to Eastern India. Its integrated terminal, completed in 2013, was inspired by the shape of a tea leaf, honouring the Darjeeling tea.

The airport houses India’s first airport museum, displaying artefacts from Bengal’s rich cultural history. The terminal roof is designed to collect rainwater that helps maintain the airport’s lush landscaping. There are over 180 species of indigenous plants stored!

To combat notorious Kolkata humidity, the airport installed Asia’s largest terminal cooling system. It is capable of producing 10,600 tons of refrigeration—enough to cool 5,300 average-sized homes.

7. Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (IXR) – 1,568 acres

Serving Jharkhand’s capital city, this 1,568-acre airport, Birsa Munda Airport (IXR) in Ranchi, has seen significant expansion in recent years.

The terminal features extensive tribal art installations created by local artisans, showcasing Jharkhand’s indigenous cultures. The airport pioneered India’s first “tribal product marketplace,” where passengers can purchase authentic handicrafts directly from tribal artisans.

In 2023, the airport installed special sound barriers that use indigenous technology to reduce noise pollution by up to 40%. The airport’s roof is covered with traditional Jharkhand tribal patterns visible from arriving aircraft—possibly the world’s largest tribal art display!

8. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai (BOM)- 1,500 acres

Mumbai International Airport (BOM) manages to cover 1,500 acres and handle more than 45 million passengers annually.

Terminal 2’s roof is inspired by the dancing peacock, India’s national bird. The airport houses the world’s largest public art program within an airport, with over 7,000 pieces from across India, collectively named “Jaya He” (Victory to India).

CSIA holds the world record for the most aircraft movements on a single runway, handling up to 51 takeoffs and landings per hour—nearly one every 70 seconds!

Despite its limited area, the airport manages to maintain a remarkable 80-acre biodiversity zone, home to over 90 species of birds and butterflies.

9. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur (NAG)- 1,355 acres

Located at the geographic centre of India, Nagpur’s 1,355-acre airport, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (NAG), serves as an important cargo hub and is named after the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

The airport’s location at India’s geographic centre earned it the unique distinction of having a “Zero Mile” marker within its grounds, from which distances to all corners of India were traditionally measured. The terminal’s roof was designed to resemble Nagpur’s famous orange fruit when viewed from above.

In 2022, the airport implemented India’s first “orange therapy rooms,” where passengers can relax in spaces infused with the city’s signature citrus scent, believed to reduce travel anxiety. The airport maintains a special cargo terminal dedicated solely to handling Nagpur oranges, processing over 50,000 tons annually.

10. Cochin International Airport, Cochin (COK) – 1,124 acres

Rounding out our list, Cochin International Airport (COK) covers 1,124 acres and made history as the world’s first fully solar-powered airport.

The airport’s solar plant generates over 60 million units of electricity annually, making it not just self-sufficient but also a net contributor to Kerala’s power grid. The terminal features the world’s first airport “butterfly garden,” home to over 40 species of butterflies indigenous to the Western Ghats.

The airport has pioneered a unique “no plastic” initiative, eliminating single-use plastics years before it became a global trend. Its water management system has been so successful that the airport has never needed to draw water from public utilities, relying entirely on harvested rainwater and recycled water.

Bottom Line

While other countries might prioritise boring metrics like passenger satisfaction or on-time departures, India has boldly embraced the “quantity over quality” approach, proving that when it comes to airports, it’s not how efficiently you move people—it’s how many acres you can claim on your Wikipedia page.

So next time you find yourself wandering through an Indian airport terminal so vast it has its own weather system, take comfort in knowing that your exhaustive trek from security to your gate is contributing to India’s status as the home of aviation enormity. Just remember to start walking to your gate approximately three days before your scheduled departure!

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