Google has released a new version of its Google Earth Engine Timelapse. This new version stretches from 1984 to 2016 and includes clearer imagery of previous years than the old version. Check out some examples of the airports that have been built or have grown significantly since then.
Kansai International Airport
Kansai International Airport (KIX/RJBB) is built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay. Construction was started in 1987 and the airport opened in 1994. The airport was further expanded and the second runway opened in 2007.
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG/VHHH) was constructed to replace the old, much smaller, Kai Tak Airport, which closed in 1998. The new airport was built by leveling two islands in the area and reclaiming additional land from the sea.
Chicago—O’Hare International Airport
With an airfield originally constructed in the early 1940s for World War II, Chicago—O’Hare (ORD/KORD) has grown immensely over the past 75 years. Since 1984, O’Hare has added multiple terminals and three runways, while extending a fourth.
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport (DEN/KDEN) was built to replace the older Stapleton International Airport, opening in 1995. The airport sits on 84.32 square kilometers northeast of Denver.
What else can you find?
Explore the new Google Earth Engine and let us know what other interesting aviation-related timelapses you find by tweeting us or leave us a note on Facebook.
![An example full flight summary response from the Flightradar24 API: { "data": [ { "fr24_id": "0987654321", "flight": "SK1415", "callsign": "SAS1415", "operated_as": "SAS", "painted_as": "SAS", "type": "A20N", "reg": "SE-DOY", "orig_icao": "ESSA", "orig_iata": "ARN", "datetime_takeoff": "2023-01-27T05:15:22", "runway_takeoff": "12R", "dest_icao": "EKCH", "dest_iata": "CPH", "dest_icao_actual": "EPWA", "dest_iata_actual": "WAW", "datetime_landed": "2023-01-27T06:15:10", "runway_landed": "27L", "flight_time": 3600, "actual_distance": 1007.74, "circle_distance": 6245, "category": "Passenger", "hex": "4A91F9", "first_seen": "2023-01-27T05:06:22", "last_seen": "2023-01-27T06:18:10", "flight_ended": "true" } ] }](https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Flight-summary-API-cover-300x148.jpg)
![An example full flight summary response from the Flightradar24 API: { "data": [ { "fr24_id": "0987654321", "flight": "SK1415", "callsign": "SAS1415", "operated_as": "SAS", "painted_as": "SAS", "type": "A20N", "reg": "SE-DOY", "orig_icao": "ESSA", "orig_iata": "ARN", "datetime_takeoff": "2023-01-27T05:15:22", "runway_takeoff": "12R", "dest_icao": "EKCH", "dest_iata": "CPH", "dest_icao_actual": "EPWA", "dest_iata_actual": "WAW", "datetime_landed": "2023-01-27T06:15:10", "runway_landed": "27L", "flight_time": 3600, "actual_distance": 1007.74, "circle_distance": 6245, "category": "Passenger", "hex": "4A91F9", "first_seen": "2023-01-27T05:06:22", "last_seen": "2023-01-27T06:18:10", "flight_ended": "true" } ] }](https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Flight-summary-API-cover-768x378.jpg)
