Quantcast

Largest air force bases surpass commercial airports by land area

Delta CEO says the Trump administration will reverse government ‘overreach’ seen under Biden
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy: How will it affect your travel plans?
British Airways yet to identify cause of latest IT meltdown
Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Spirit Airlines delays release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
Delta investigating after plane’s nose mysteriously suffered damage
What Elon Musk's Starlink means for airlines
CAP OFF Major twist in Dublin Airport passenger cap row as High Court pauses decision in victory for airlines next summer season
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
Wizz Air Loses Challenge Against EU-Approved Romanian Aid for TAROM
Southwest, Other Airlines Plan a Shake-Up. Why They Need More to Boost Their Stocks.
One of Boeing's biggest customers leveled fresh criticism over ongoing 737 Max delivery delays
Low-Cost Airlines Innovate with Subscription Models
LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
Largest air force bases surpass commercial airports by land area
Policy
Webp denverairport
Denver International Airport, | Denver

When comparing the size of the world's largest airbases to major commercial airports, military installations are notably larger. Denver International Airport, one of the largest airports globally, spans 34,000 acres but is dwarfed by the largest air force base. King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia, although mostly undeveloped, is less than half the size of the biggest air force bases.

The United States Air Force (USAF), with over 5,000 aircraft, operates some of the world's largest airbases. These bases often consist mainly of restricted areas used for training rather than developed infrastructure. For instance, Edwards Air Force Base exceeds 300,000 acres in total area but has less than 20,000 acres developed.

The five largest air force bases by total area include:

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

1. Eglin Air Force Base in Florida covers approximately 464,000 acres and is part of the largest military testing range in the US. It hosts significant research activities including artificial intelligence and hypersonic development.

2. Edwards Air Force Base in California spans over 301,000 acres and serves as USAF's primary testing facility with a long history dating back to World War II.

3. Pituffik Space Base in Greenland covers 233,000 acres and is notable for its challenging Arctic conditions. It transitioned from USAF to US Space Force control in 2020.

4. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska encompasses about 84,000 acres following a merger between Fort Richardson and Elmendorf AFB in 2010.

5. Andersen Air Force Base on Guam covers around 20,000 acres and plays a crucial role due to its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region.

These bases not only serve as critical military installations but also play key roles in various research and operational capacities across different terrains worldwide.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Heathrow Airport Limited’s (HAL) performance is under scrutiny following recent development proposals, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Aug 1, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced plans to add 40 nonstop flights from Boston Logan International Airport to 10 leisure destinations across the United States for Patriots’ Day in April 2025.

Aug 1, 2025

Emirates has expanded its Aircrafted KIDS initiative to the Middle East and North Africa region, starting with the donation of 800 bags to two non-profit organizations in Egypt.

Aug 1, 2025

The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) has issued a statement on X, urging policymakers to prioritize the ongoing modernization of air traffic control (ATC) systems.

Jul 31, 2025

ITA Airways announced on X that it is extending the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv through September 30, including the cancellation of flights AZ809 and AZ815 on October 1.

Jul 31, 2025

Emirates has announced on X its plans to launch daily flights from Dubai to Hangzhou, marking an expansion of its network in China.

Jul 31, 2025