- The United States leads with over 15,000 airports, the most worldwide
- Brazil has nearly 5,000 airports serving vast and diverse geographic areas
- Australia’s 2,000+ airports connect remote outback and coastal regions
As global travel expands and air connectivity becomes more crucial than ever, certain countries stand out for the sheer size of their aviation networks. These nations are home to not just major international hubs but also extensive regional airports and smaller airfields that keep even remote corners within easy reach. From tourism powerhouses to geographically vast nations shaped by distance and diversity, each builds its airport ecosystem to support mobility, commerce, and exploration. Leading this list by an extraordinary margin is the United States of America. It's a country where air travel is deeply woven into daily life and long-distance journeys are the norm. With tens of thousands of airfields and commercial airports, the U.S. sets the benchmark for the rest of the world in aviation scale and accessibility.
Which Country In The World Has The Most Airports?
With thousands of airports spread across its enormous landmass, the United States stands in a league of its own when it comes to aviation infrastructure. The country is home to the highest number of airports in the world, ranging from major international hubs to tiny airstrips that serve rural communities and remote landscapes. This vast network reflects a culture where flying is not just a luxury but often the most practical way to move across great distances.
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Why Does The USA Have So Many Airports?
For travellers, this expansive system translates into convenience and choice. Photo Credit: Unsplash
The sheer number of airports in the U.S. can be attributed to its size, strong aviation history, and a decentralised travel pattern where many smaller towns and regional centres are connected by air. Add to that a thriving private aviation culture and military presence, and the numbers soar. Major commercial hubs such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Denver handle millions of passengers annually, serving as gateways to both domestic circuits and global routes.
For travellers, this expansive system translates into convenience and choice. Domestic passengers can fly between states with ease, often finding multiple route options and competitive fares. The network also opens doors to under-the-radar destinations that may be hours from the nearest big city by road. International visitors benefit from numerous entry points, smooth onward connections, and the ability to customise itineraries without feeling tied to major hubs alone.
Also Read: 5 Countries In The World That Don't Have An Airport (And How You Can Still Visit Them)
Top 10 Countries With The Largest Number Of Airports
1. United States of America
With more than 15,000 airports, the U.S. spans a massive landmass where air travel often outpaces road or rail between cities and states. From mega-hubs like Los Angeles or Atlanta to tiny rural airfields, its dense network makes even remote corners accessible.
2. Brazil
Brazil's nearly 5,000 airports mirror its vast geography, from Amazon-region strips to coastal tourism gateways. For inbound visitors, this implies easier access beyond the big cities: think rainforest lodges or seaside towns reachable by plane rather than long drives.
3. Australia
Sydney Airport. Photo Credit: Unsplash
With over 2,000 airports dotted across its wide-open outback, Australia's network is shaped by sheer distances. It allows seamless travel between island-like regions, remote national parks and coastal cities.
4. Mexico
Mexico's approximately 1,500 airports reflect its mix of major tourist hubs and regional destinations. That means travellers can shift quickly from the bustle of Mexico City to beach towns, jungle lodges or historic towns, using air travel to cover distances that roads might struggle with.
5. Canada
Canada's 1,400-plus airports serve a huge landmass with low population density, especially in the north. This infrastructure means you're free to explore less-visited wilderness, fly-in lodges or remote communities that feel far from conventional tourist trails.
6. United Kingdom
The UK has over 1,000 airports and airfields, thanks to its historic aviation infrastructure and dense settlement pattern. For an inbound traveller, that translates to options: bustling London gateways, regional airports near Scotland, Wales or Northern England, giving local flavour without long travel hops.
7. Russia
Russia's large territory but comparatively modest airport count (around 900) speaks to its vast and often sparsely populated lands. Air travel becomes key to linking Siberia, the Arctic regions and remote republics, offering a route to incredible, less-touristed landscapes.
8. Germany
Berlin Airport. Photo Credit: Unsplash
Germany's network of approximately 840 airports reflects its economic density and well-connected regions. Inbound visitors find it easy to combine city breaks (like Berlin or Munich) with regional escapes because short-haul flights and airports give extra flexibility.
9. Argentina
With around 750 airports, Argentina's air network spans from bustling Buenos Aires to Patagonia's edge and the far south at Tierra del Fuego. For travellers, this means a mix of cosmopolitan arrivals and flights into stunning wilderness regions, opening up both culture and remote nature in one trip.
10. France
France has around 690 airports covering everything from major hubs like Paris-Charles de Gaulle to small regional airfields in the Alps, the Pyrenees and overseas territories. Whether you're landing for city glamour, wine-region escapes, or alpine skiing, your air pathway is well-served and varied.
Having a vast airport network offers several benefits. However, it's important to understand which ones provide the best connections.
