Hong Kong-Taipei Leads 2024 Airline Routes
The Asia-Pacific region dominated the global airline industry in 2024, securing seven of the top 10 busiest international routes by capacity. Leading the list is the Hong Kong-Taipei route, which reclaimed its position as the busiest international airline route of the year. Airlines provided 6.8 million seats on this route, a 48% increase compared to 2023, though still 15% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Cathay Pacific emerged as the market leader for the short 500-mile route, controlling 42% of the available capacity. EVA Airways followed with 21%, while China Airlines held a 12.6% share. This growth highlights the ongoing recovery in air travel demand within the Asia-Pacific region as countries normalize operations and lift travel restrictions.
Globally, the Cairo-Jeddah route ranked second with 5.5 million seats, reflecting a 14% year-on-year growth and a staggering 62% increase from 2019. This route connects two key cities in the Middle East, serving both business and religious travelers.
Seoul Incheon-Tokyo Narita climbed to third place, offering 5.4 million seats, a 30% rise from 2023 and a 68% growth from 2019. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur-Singapore dropped from first to fourth, despite a 10% increase in capacity compared to last year.
The only non-Asia-Pacific or Middle Eastern route in the top 10 was New York JFK-London Heathrow, which ranked 10th with 4 million seats. This iconic transatlantic route grew by 3% year-on-year and 5% compared to 2019, underscoring its resilience in the face of evolving travel patterns.
Asia-Pacific also dominated domestic markets. Seoul Gimpo-Jeju retained its title as the world’s busiest domestic route, with 14.2 million seats, marking a 3% year-on-year increase. Japan claimed the next two spots with Sapporo-Tokyo Haneda and Fukuoka-Tokyo Haneda, which offered 11.9 million and 11.3 million seats, respectively.
In addition to capacity growth, Asia-Pacific’s resurgence is also evident in the recovery of regional hubs such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore, which are benefiting from the surge in short-haul travel demand. These routes play a critical role in connecting travelers within the region and driving economic recovery post-pandemic.
In the U.S., Atlanta-Orlando emerged as the busiest domestic route with 3.5 million seats, surpassing Honolulu-Kahului, which saw a 7% decline in capacity. New York La Guardia-Chicago O’Hare experienced the highest growth, with a 17% increase compared to 2023, highlighting the strong recovery in domestic air travel within the U.S.
With air travel steadily rebounding, the dominance of Asia-Pacific routes in 2024 signals a renewed emphasis on short-haul and regional connectivity. The ongoing expansion of airlines and increased capacity underscore the growing demand for travel in both leisure and business sectors, setting the stage for continued growth in 2025.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=China+Airlines