World’s record-breaking airports | CNN

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Dubai overtakes Heathrow as world’s busiest airport

Updated 1:47 AM EST, Wed January 28, 2015
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Dubai International has just released its 2014 traffic report, in which it reported a total of 70.4 million passengers in 2014, up 6.1% over the previous year. That puts it ahead of London's Heathrow, which reported around 68.1 million international passengers in 2014.
Most international passengers —
Dubai International has just released its 2014 traffic report, in which it reported a total of 70.4 million passengers in 2014, up 6.1% over the previous year. That puts it ahead of London's Heathrow, which reported around 68.1 million international passengers in 2014.
Courtesy Dubai International Airport
For the first time in a decade, Chicago's O'Hare topped Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson in total flights by more than 13,000 in 2014. But although 2014 global stats are pending, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2015%2F01%2F22%2Ftravel%2Fbusiest-airport-atlanta-chicago-feat%2F">year-to-date figures suggest</a> that Atlanta will still be the busiest airport in the world based on overall passenger traffic (domestic and international).
World's busiest airport —
For the first time in a decade, Chicago's O'Hare topped Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson in total flights by more than 13,000 in 2014. But although 2014 global stats are pending, year-to-date figures suggest that Atlanta will still be the busiest airport in the world based on overall passenger traffic (domestic and international).
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Holding the record for the world's closest airports are the gateways to Papa Westray and Westray, neighboring islands in the Scottish Orkneys. A flight between the two takes an average of 96 seconds (2 minutes if you include taxiing time).
World's closest airports —
Holding the record for the world's closest airports are the gateways to Papa Westray and Westray, neighboring islands in the Scottish Orkneys. A flight between the two takes an average of 96 seconds (2 minutes if you include taxiing time).
Google Maps
The world's shortest commercially serviceable runway is at Juancho E.Yrausquin Airport on the island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles, in the Caribbean. The runway is just 396 meters (1,300 feet) in length; most aircraft carriers are only slightly longer than this.
World's shortest runway —
The world's shortest commercially serviceable runway is at Juancho E.Yrausquin Airport on the island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles, in the Caribbean. The runway is just 396 meters (1,300 feet) in length; most aircraft carriers are only slightly longer than this.
Courtesy Fentener Van Vlissingen
The world's highest airport sits at 14,219 feet above sea level. Surrounded by mountains, Qamdo Bangda Airport in Tibet operates a scheduled airline service but requires an extra-long runway (13,794 feet) to accommodate the extended stopping distance caused by the lack of atmospheric resistance at that altitude.
Highest airport in the world —
The world's highest airport sits at 14,219 feet above sea level. Surrounded by mountains, Qamdo Bangda Airport in Tibet operates a scheduled airline service but requires an extra-long runway (13,794 feet) to accommodate the extended stopping distance caused by the lack of atmospheric resistance at that altitude.
Courtesy Eric Finlayson
At a reported $20 billion, Hong Kong International Airport is one of the most expensive airport construction projects. It is also the world's busiest airport for cargo (freight and mail) and international freight (excluding mail).
Busiest cargo airport —
At a reported $20 billion, Hong Kong International Airport is one of the most expensive airport construction projects. It is also the world's busiest airport for cargo (freight and mail) and international freight (excluding mail).
Courtesy Hong Kong International Airport
Mataveri International Airport on Easter Island is the world's most isolated airport, situated a remote 3,759 km from the nearest city -- Santiago, Chile.
World's most isolated airport —
Mataveri International Airport on Easter Island is the world's most isolated airport, situated a remote 3,759 km from the nearest city -- Santiago, Chile.
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