The sky-high costs of modern air travel extend far beyond ticket prices. Constructing a world-class airport is a monumental undertaking, requiring substantial investments in infrastructure, technology, and advanced engineering. From sprawling terminals and intricate runway systems to sophisticated security measures and seamless passenger experiences, modern airports are marvels of modern engineering and logistical feats. However, this complexity comes at a significant price tag.
Building runways and putting up terminals that can handle millions of people each year can be super pricey. These multibillion-dollar airports are packed with boarding gates, parking lots, baggage carousels, shops, lounges, and more, all driving up their costs. By early 2025, the $34.8 billion USD expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai is set to become the most expensive airport ever when it's finished. But for airports that are already built, here are 5 of the priciest airports in the world. Let's dive in!
Just how much did these airports cost to build?
1. Hong Kong International Airport – Hong Kong
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Estimated construction cost: $20 billion
Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's most expensive airport, Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) stands as a testament to ambitious infrastructure projects. Situated on the island of Chek Lap Kok, its construction, initiated in 1991, involved a monumental investment of $20 billion, culminating in its grand opening on July 6th, 1998.
A significant portion of this budget was dedicated to transforming the island itself. Prior to construction, Chek Lap Kok primarily comprised small fishing villages and agricultural land, an unsuitable foundation for such a massive undertaking. Extensive land reclamation efforts were necessary to create the necessary space for the airport's infrastructure.
The project's scope extended beyond the airport itself, encompassing the development of crucial supporting infrastructure. This included the construction of 4 tunnels and 5 bridges to connect the airport to the mainland, along with the creation of a new town to accommodate the needs of the airport's workforce and surrounding communities, ultimately housing 260,000 residents. These connectivity projects accounted for a substantial portion of the overall cost, with $11 billion dedicated to their development, while $9 billion was directly invested in the airport's construction.
A key component of this ambitious project was the development of SuperTerminal 1, the world's largest single cargo terminal, constructed at a cost of $1 billion. This colossal facility boasts the capacity to handle over 2.5 million tons of cargo annually, a volume exceeding that of London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) by a significant margin.
2. Beijing Daxing International Airport – Beijing, China
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Estimated construction cost: $17 billion
The newest of the 2 international airports in Beijing is Daxing International Airport (PKX), which cost about $17 billion to build. When you include the new transportation connections made along with the airport, the total cost climbs to around $63 billion, making it the costliest airport globally by some measures.
Construction started in 2014, and Daxing opened in September 2019. The airport spans 6,620 acres, located about 28 miles south of Beijing, featuring four civilian runways and one military runway.
What stands out most – and adds to the cost – is the terminal design. There are 6 arms coming out from a central building, symbolizing a phoenix spreading its wings. Each arm has double-deck departure and arrival platforms, which are the first of their kind, helping more flights leave and land at once.
3. Kansai International Airport – Osaka, Japan
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Estimated construction cost: $14.4 billion
Conceived to alleviate the burgeoning air traffic at Osaka International Airport (ITM) and stimulate regional economic growth, Kansai International Airport (KIX) faced significant opposition during its early stages. Residents expressed concerns about the project's potential impact on the local environment and community. Despite these initial hurdles, construction commenced in 1987 after years of debate and planning.
A defining feature of this ambitious project was the decision to construct the airport on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, rather than on existing land. This presented unique engineering challenges, necessitating robust measures to safeguard the airport from the forces of nature, including earthquakes and typhoons. These protective measures significantly contributed to the overall project cost.
Accessing the newly created island required the construction of a 1.86-mile bridge, linking the airport to the mainland. This vital infrastructure component further increased the project's overall budget. A substantial portion of the funding was also allocated to the development of the main terminal building, a masterpiece of architectural design by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, whose portfolio includes iconic structures like London's Shard.
Upon its opening in 1994, Kansai International Airport assumed the role of the primary international gateway for Osaka, effectively transitioning Osaka International Airport to a domestic-only facility. This shift in air travel operations marked a significant milestone in the region's aviation history.
4. Berlin Brandenburg Airport – Berlin, Germany
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Estimated construction cost: $6.6 billion
After years of poor management and hold-ups, the final building cost for Berlin's Brandenburg Airport turned out to be nearly 3 times higher than first expected, leading some to call it the "laughing stock" of Germany.
Planning for the airport kicked off in 1992, just after Germany reunited. Yet, work didn't actually start until 2006, and it wasn't until 2020 that the airport opened, a decade late. Costs soared because of various design errors and faulty parts.
For instance, the airport's fire safety system didn't work right and had to be swapped out. Other expensive blunders included escalators that were too short and not enough baggage claim spots. All these setbacks made Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) one of the priciest airports ever built.
5. Denver International Airport – Denver, Colorado
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Estimated construction cost: $4.8 billion
Denver International Airport (DEN) opened in 1995 after many delays, which led to its huge $4.8 billion cost – about $2 billion over budget. In total, DIA – as it's called – had $3 billion in construction costs, plus $1.8 billion in related projects (about $9 billion today).
DIA's high cost was partly due to the project's complexity, which included 6 underground tunnels and the Jeppesen Terminal, with a roof shaped like the snow-capped Rockies. The airport – designed to replace Denver's Stapleton Airport, which had no room to grow – was also pricey because of its size. It spans 53 square miles, making it the biggest airport in the United States by land area – larger than Boston, Miami, or San Francisco.
The secret to a smooth takeoff: book affordable parking with ParkingNearAirports.io!
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Have you ever heard something about off-site parking? If not, we recommend you take a closer look at this part of the article, as this information will be handy for those who prefer to travel by air and get to the airport by their own car.
Most people suppose that parking at the airport is the fastest and most convenient option for them. However, it's not actually true. We'll explain to you why.
To be true, being in a terminal parking lot isn't convenient at all. Although on-site airport parking is the nearest place where you can leave your vehicle for the period of a trip, you can face the following difficulties:
- You will need to find a spot in a crowded lot,
- You will need to carry the luggage all the way through the parking lot,
- You must pay expensive fees without great service.
Sounds not good, right? However, we found an excellent solution for you – in this case, off-site parking can become a savior for you. So if you're trying to find a parking spot with great service nearby the airport you're flying from and don't want to leave there the most significant part of your budget, pay attention to this option.
How does it work?
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Obviously, people who chose a car as a way to get to the airport want to leave their vehicle safely while traveling and not to face the problems we described above. So what can off-site airport parking offer its customers?
Although a few miles usually separate such parking from the airport, you shouldn't worry about this. Off-site parking provides free shuttles going back and forth between the parking lot and the airport. Thanks to this, it removes any worries about getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport during peak times. So all you need to do is choose the best time for you and inform the parking lot staff.
How does it work? Actually, everything is straightforward: when you come to the entrance, the staff will remove your luggage from your car and load it onto the shuttle, which will take you and your bags to the terminal. Then, the vehicle will be parked securely.
In addition, this type of parking is much cheaper, and this is good news, as nobody wants to waste money. Therefore, off-site parking is the perfect option to receive excellent service and save money at the same time.
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We're glad to inform you that you can find this solution right here. Our booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, offers the best prices on airport car parking and bundles hotel and parking packages. Besides, we provide the services for top cruise ports in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas.
Our platform allows you to make an airport parking reservation through a few clicks within the application. As a result, customers receive a booking confirmation and a guaranteed parking spot upon arrival at the off-airport lot. Besides, if plans change, you can cancel hassle-free and receive a refund.
To understand it better, we would like to give you an example. Let's imagine that you're planning a trip to a popular destination. Regardless of your departure point, you can find convenient and affordable parking near airport you're flying from. Also, ParkingNearAirports.io offers its customers special airport parking coupons. With the help of these coupons, you can make the price for parking even two times less. So don't forget to use them to save as much money as possible.
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