Asia Dominates the World’s Busiest Airline Routes in 2024

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Air travel in 2024 is roaring back, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, which claims seven of the top 10 busiest international airline routes this year, according to OAG’s annual report. This resurgence highlights Asia’s long-awaited recovery after years of pandemic-induced travel disruptions.

OAG, a leading aviation data provider, analyzed flight schedules and seat availability on round-trip flights between January and December 2024. The results point to a strong demand for regional travel, with leisure overtaking corporate travel as the primary driver of growth.

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Asia-Pacific Leads the Charge

The report reveals that Hong Kong to Taipei remains the world’s busiest international route, with 6.8 million available seats—a return to its pre-pandemic title from 2019. Following closely is the route between Cairo and Jeddah, which has seen a remarkable 62% growth compared to 2019 levels. Seoul to Tokyo Narita takes third place, boasting 5.4 million scheduled seats—a 69% increase over pre-pandemic numbers.

“With Asia-Pacific nearing full recovery, major hubs like Hong Kong, Seoul Incheon, and Singapore are driving flight volumes,” said John Grant, OAG’s chief analyst.

Middle East Markets Are on the Rise

The Middle East also features prominently, with Dubai to Riyadh landing at No. 6 on the list. A standout trend is the growth of regional travel within Saudi Arabia, fueled by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to boost both business and leisure tourism. However, it’s not just business travel leading the charge; routes like Cairo to Jeddah suggest leisure vacations are playing a significant role.

Transatlantic Travel Holds Strong

The only transatlantic route in the top 10 is the ever-popular New York JFK to London Heathrow, which ranked 10th. With 4 million seats—a 5% increase over 2019—it remains a favorite for both business and leisure travelers.

The Top 10 Busiest International Routes of 2024

Here’s how the rankings played out this year, reflecting the routes where you’re most likely to find yourself traveling in the year ahead:

Hong Kong (HKG) – Taipei (TPE): 6.8 million seats
Cairo (CAI) – Jeddah (JED): 5.47 million seats
Seoul (ICN) – Tokyo Narita (NRT): 5.4 million seats
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Singapore (SIN): 5.38 million seats
Seoul (ICN) – Osaka (KIX): 4.98 million seats
Dubai (DXB) – Riyadh (RUH): 4.3 million seats
Bangkok (BKK) – Hong Kong (HKG): 4.2 million seats
Jakarta (CGK) – Singapore (SIN): 4.07 million seats
Bangkok (BKK) – Singapore (SIN): 4.03 million seats
New York JFK – London Heathrow (LHR): 4.01 million seats

Looking Ahead: What These Routes Say About Travel Trends

The dominance of Asia-Pacific routes underscores the region’s rapid recovery and its pivotal role in global travel. Leisure travel continues to lead the way, with destinations like Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Jeddah benefiting from strong tourism demand. Meanwhile, Europe and North America’s sole representative, New York to London, demonstrates the enduring popularity of transatlantic travel.

As we approach 2025, these routes offer a glimpse into evolving travel preferences and a renewed focus on connecting global cities, whether for work or play.