India’s Largest Airport Isn’t in Pune, Delhi or Mumbai; It is in this City

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport tops the list of India’s largest airports by area in 2025; see which others make the top 10.

India, now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, has witnessed remarkable growth in air travel, with over 370 million passengers recorded in the past year, a 15% year-on-year increase, according to the Airports Authority of India. Among the many airports spread across the country, some stand out not only for their passenger capacity but also for their sheer scale.

In the latest 2025 edition, Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has emerged as India’s largest airport by area, covering 5,500 acres, surpassing even the country’s busiest aviation hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Here’s a look at the Top 10 largest airports in India by area in 2025:

1. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
Area: 5,500 acres | Passengers: 2.64 million
Located in Shamshabad, this airport has consistently ranked high for efficiency and cleanliness. It’s also a hub for domestic and international travel across South India and has seen significant expansion in recent years.

2. Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
Area: 5,106 acres | Passengers: 6.67 million
India’s busiest airport by passenger volume, IGI in Delhi connects India to all major global destinations. It boasts world-class terminals and has consistently topped global rankings for airport services.

3. Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
Area: 4,008 acres | Passengers: 3.75 million
Bangalore’s airport is India’s first fully solar-powered international airport and a major hub for tech-driven travel services. It serves as a crucial southern gateway for both domestic and international passengers.

4. Manohar International Airport, Mopa (Goa)
Area: 2,132 acres | Passengers: 372,886
A newer entry to the list, this airport was built to ease the load on Goa’s Dabolim Airport. Located in North Goa, it supports tourism and regional trade.

5. Goa International Airport, Dabolim (Panaji)
Area: 1,700 acres | Passengers: 539,114
Operational since the 1950s, this dual-use military-civil airport is vital for Goa’s tourism economy, despite limitations on flight schedules due to naval operations.

6. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
Area: 1,640 acres | Passengers: 1.83 million
As the largest airport in eastern India, Kolkata’s NSCBI Airport connects the region with Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and is known for its modern Terminal 2.

7. Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi
Area: 1,560 acres | Passengers: 245,367
Serving Jharkhand’s capital, this airport is steadily growing in importance due to regional development and increasing tourist footfall.

8. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
Area: 1,500 acres | Passengers: 4.57 million
While limited by its area, Mumbai’s airport is among the top busiest in the world, with extremely high efficiency and passenger throughput, often operating near peak capacity.

9. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur
Area: 1,460 acres | Passengers: 234,176
Strategically located at the country’s center, Nagpur’s airport is a key cargo hub and part of the MIHAN (Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur) project.

10. Cochin International Airport, Kochi
Area: 1,300 acres | Passengers: 969,454
The world’s first fully solar-powered airport, Kochi’s CIAL serves Kerala and is a major gateway for the Gulf diaspora, winning accolades for sustainability.

These top 10 airports are not only measured by area but also recognized for their strategic importance, technological innovations, and service quality. As India’s air travel sector continues to grow, many of these hubs are set for further expansion, keeping pace with the country’s aviation ambitions.