Top 10 Biggest Cargo Airports in the World
Table of Contents
Cargo airports play an essential role in the global supply chain, enabling the transportation of goods, materials, and commodities across countries and continents. These airports handle freight ranging from raw materials to electronics, perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and industrial equipment.
The largest cargo airports are critical hubs for international trade and logistics, supporting the world economy by providing efficient storage, distribution, and transportation services.
Below is a detailed look at the top 10 biggest cargo airports in the world, highlighting their capacity, facilities, and significance in the global logistics network.
1. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), Hong Kong
Annual Cargo Traffic: 5 million metric tons
Runways: 2
Terminals: 2
Total Area: 1,255 hectares (3,103 acres)
Overview
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is the busiest cargo airport in the world, handling the highest volume of air freight. Located on the artificial island of Chek Lap Kok, it serves as a vital hub for both passenger and freight traffic. The airport plays a crucial role in facilitating trade between Asia and the rest of the world, particularly for goods such as electronics, machinery, and textiles.
Key Features
- HKG’s cargo facilities cover approximately 400,000 square meters, with a sophisticated air cargo terminal system capable of handling large volumes of goods efficiently.
- The airport offers advanced logistics infrastructure, including automated cargo handling systems and state-of-the-art cold storage facilities for perishable items.
- Hong Kong’s strategic location in Asia makes it an ideal gateway for cargo between China, Southeast Asia, and Europe, with rapid connections to other major airports worldwide.
2. Memphis International Airport (MEM), Memphis, USA
Annual Cargo Traffic: 4.5 million metric tons
Runways: 4
Terminals: 2
Total Area: 3,900 acres
Overview
Memphis International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport globally and the busiest in the United States. It serves as the primary hub for FedEx Express, one of the largest courier companies in the world. The airport handles a significant amount of overnight shipments and serves as a critical point for domestic and international cargo transportation.
Key Features
- MEM has a dedicated freight area with more than 3 million square feet of warehouse space for sorting and storing cargo.
- The airport is known for its high-speed, overnight delivery capabilities, leveraging FedEx’s extensive logistics network.
- Memphis benefits from its central U.S. location, allowing for quick access to both coasts and international markets, making it an ideal transit point for global trade.
3. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai, China
Annual Cargo Traffic: 3.6 million metric tons
Runways: 3
Terminals: 2
Total Area: 40 square kilometers (15.4 square miles)
Overview
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of the busiest airports in China and the world’s third-largest cargo hub. As China’s economic growth continues, PVG has become a key gateway for goods traveling to and from the country. The airport handles a wide range of products, including electronics, automotive parts, and textiles.
Key Features
- PVG features over 400,000 square meters of cargo handling facilities, which include state-of-the-art cold storage and dangerous goods handling zones.
- The airport’s strategic location on China’s eastern coast makes it a central point for shipments traveling between Asia and Europe or North America.
- Shanghai Pudong is home to several major logistics companies, including China Eastern Airlines Cargo, ensuring high-volume, high-efficiency cargo handling.
4. Incheon International Airport (ICN), Seoul, South Korea
Annual Cargo Traffic: 3.5 million metric tons
Runways: 3
Terminals: 2
Total Area: 5.5 square kilometers (2.1 square miles)
Overview
Incheon International Airport, located near Seoul, South Korea, is one of the world’s leading cargo airports. With its efficient infrastructure and advanced facilities, it is a major hub for air freight in East Asia, supporting high volumes of goods, including electronics, machinery, and pharmaceuticals.
Key Features
- ICN boasts over 600,000 square meters of cargo facilities, making it one of the most advanced cargo airports globally.
- The airport is equipped with automated cargo handling systems, ensuring fast turnaround times and high levels of security for goods.
- Incheon’s location as a transshipment hub for goods moving between China, Japan, and the United States makes it a critical part of the global logistics network.
5. Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai, UAE
Annual Cargo Traffic: 2.7 million metric tons
Runways: 2
Terminals: 3
Total Area: 29.8 square kilometers (11.5 square miles)
Overview
Dubai International Airport is the busiest airport in the Middle East and one of the largest cargo airports globally. Serving as a major hub for Emirates SkyCargo, the airport plays a significant role in facilitating trade between the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Africa. The airport’s strategic location at the crossroads of international trade routes enhances its importance in global logistics.
Key Features
- DXB has dedicated cargo terminals with more than 1 million square feet of warehouse space, handling both general cargo and specialized goods such as perishables and pharmaceuticals.
- The airport’s cargo capacity continues to grow, with continuous investment in technology and infrastructure to maintain its role as a key global logistics center.
- Dubai International’s location provides quick access to the markets of the Middle East and serves as a major transit point for goods moving between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
6. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), Anchorage, USA
Annual Cargo Traffic: 3.3 million metric tons
Runways: 3
Terminals: 2
Total Area: 4,000 acres
Overview
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a major cargo hub located in Alaska, strategically situated between North America and Asia. Anchorage’s position makes it an ideal refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights, and it handles a significant amount of cargo traveling between the U.S., Asia, and Europe.
Key Features
- ANC is a significant transshipment point for cargo traveling to and from North America, with over 2 million square feet of warehouse space dedicated to handling goods.
- The airport’s location allows for a short travel time for cargo shipments, making it an ideal location for overnight or expedited shipping services.
- ANC benefits from its central position between key cargo routes, making it an essential transit hub for international shipments.
7. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris, France
Annual Cargo Traffic: 2.2 million metric tons
Runways: 4
Terminals: 3
Total Area: 32 square kilometers (12.4 square miles)
Overview
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest cargo airport in France and one of the busiest in Europe. Serving as a major hub for Air France-KLM Cargo, CDG handles a wide variety of goods, including luxury products, automotive parts, and industrial equipment. Its location in the heart of Europe makes it a critical entry point for goods into the European market.
Key Features
- CDG boasts state-of-the-art cargo facilities, including temperature-controlled storage and automated cargo handling systems to ensure efficiency and security.
- The airport is also an important center for mail and perishable goods shipments, with specialized terminals dedicated to these types of cargo.
- Its location near major European markets allows for quick distribution to key destinations across the continent.
8. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Annual Cargo Traffic: 1.8 million metric tons
Runways: 2
Terminals: 2
Total Area: 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles)
Overview
Kuala Lumpur International Airport is one of Southeast Asia’s largest cargo airports and a major transit point for goods moving across the region. The airport handles a wide range of cargo, from electronics and machinery to textiles and perishables, making it a key hub in the Asia-Pacific logistics network.
Key Features
- KUL’s cargo facilities are equipped with modern handling systems, cold storage, and dedicated zones for specific types of goods, including pharmaceuticals and electronics.
- The airport’s strategic location near major production centers in Southeast Asia enables quick and efficient distribution of goods throughout the region.
- KUL continues to expand its cargo operations, focusing on increasing its capacity to handle more freight as demand for air cargo continues to grow.
9. Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Frankfurt, Germany
Annual Cargo Traffic: 2 million metric tons
Runways: 4
Terminals: 2
Total Area: 23 square kilometers (8.9 square miles)
Overview
Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe’s busiest cargo airports and serves as a critical hub for both passenger and freight traffic. As Germany’s leading airport, it connects European markets with Asia, North America, and Africa, handling a wide variety of goods, including automotive components, pharmaceuticals, and electronics.
Key Features
- FRA’s cargo facilities include advanced logistics and handling infrastructure, with over 500,000 square meters of warehouse space dedicated to cargo operations.
- The airport has specialized facilities for handling sensitive goods, such as pharmaceuticals and perishable items, with temperature-controlled storage options.
- Frankfurt’s central location in Europe allows for efficient distribution to major European cities and beyond, making it one of the primary logistics centers in the region.
10. London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London, United Kingdom
Annual Cargo Traffic: 1.7 million metric tons
Runways: 2
Terminals: 5
Total Area: 12.5 square kilometers (4.8 square miles)
Overview
London Heathrow is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and one of the largest cargo airports in Europe. It serves as a major hub for British Airways and other international cargo carriers. Heathrow handles a wide range of freight, including high-value goods, luxury items, and pharmaceuticals, thanks to its well-developed logistics infrastructure and prime location.
Key Features
- Heathrow’s cargo handling facilities include over 130,000 square meters of warehouse space, with specialized areas for temperature-sensitive products and high-value cargo.
- The airport is one of the key entry points for goods into the United Kingdom, connecting Europe with major markets in Asia, North America, and the Middle East.
- LHR continues to expand its cargo infrastructure to meet growing demand, with a focus on increasing capacity and improving the speed and efficiency of handling operations.
Conclusion
The world’s biggest cargo airports are more than just hubs for air travel—they are critical to the global economy, enabling the swift and efficient movement of goods across continents. From Hong Kong and Memphis, which dominate cargo traffic, to hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, and London Heathrow, these airports handle millions of metric tons of freight every year.
They support international trade and logistics through advanced infrastructure, specialized facilities, and cutting-edge technologies. As global trade continues to grow, these airports will remain central players in ensuring goods reach their destinations quickly and safely, fostering economic development and connectivity worldwide.
