Situated along the Black Sea coast, Istanbul Airport secured the third spot on the list of the world's largest airports, as revealed by the UK's Daily Mail. At the top of the list is King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia, spanning 776 square kilometers and serving over 10 million passengers annually. Following closely is Denver International Airport in the US state of Colorado, occupying a 140-square-kilometer area and catering to 79 million passengers in 2023.
Since its official opening in late October 2018 and full operationalization in April 2019, Istanbul Airport has transformed into a pivotal global transit center. Established on a vast expanse of 76.5 square kilometers, the airport has facilitated travel for over 200 million passengers and accommodated nearly 1.5 million planes over the past five years. Istanbul Airport offers flights to more than 110 countries and over 350 destinations.
The airport's rise to prominence underscores Istanbul's emergence as a major regional transport hub, positioned as Europe's largest city straddling both Europe and Asia. Beyond its strategic location, Istanbul Airport continues to draw attention for its commitment to environmental sustainability. Recognized with a "Level 4" Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate by the Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE) in 2023, the airport remains dedicated to reaching zero carbon goals.