New data from the global travel analytics firm OAG has identified the world's most heavily trafficked airline routes for the coming year. The crown for 2025 goes to a domestic South Korean corridor, highlighting the robust recovery and intense competition within regional aviation markets.
Asia Pacific Dominates Global Air Travel
According to the latest OAG analysis released on December 22, 2025, the route between Jeju (CJU) and Seoul Gimpo (GMP) in South Korea is the busiest in the world. An astonishing 14.4 million seats have been scheduled on this route for the year. This represents a modest 1% increase compared to 2024, indicating that capacity has not yet fully rebounded to pre-pandemic levels; it remains 17% below its 2019 peak. The route is fiercely competitive, with seven different carriers vying for passengers.
The dominance of the Asia Pacific region is the report's most striking finding. It accounts for nine out of the top ten busiest routes globally, all of which are domestic flights. John Grant, OAG's Chief Analyst, noted, "This is a remarkable indication of how these routes have recovered in recent times and their significance to the airlines operating those sectors."
Top Routes and Fastest Growers
The second and third busiest routes are also in Asia, specifically in Japan. The connection between Sapporo New Chitose (CTS) and Tokyo Haneda (HND) holds second place with 12.1 million seats, followed by Fukuoka (FUK) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) with 11.5 million seats.
While Asia leads, the Middle East is home to the fastest-growing corridor in the top ten. The domestic Saudi Arabian route from Jeddah (JED) to Riyadh (RUH), which ranks fifth overall, saw a 13% year-over-year increase in seat capacity, reaching 9.8 million seats. Other notable movers include the Hanoi (HAN) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) route, which grew by 4%, and Shanghai (SHA) to Shenzhen (SZX), whose 5% growth propelled it into the tenth position.
Cross-Border Travel Leaders
When examining international travel separately, the busiest cross-border route for 2025 is between Hong Kong (HKG) and Taipei (TPE), with 6.8 million scheduled seats. This is followed by the route from Cairo (CAI) to Jeddah (JED) at 5.8 million seats, and the popular connection between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Singapore Changi (SIN) with 5.6 million seats.
The OAG report, powered by its Global Airline Schedules Data, underscores the shifting dynamics in global aviation. The strength of domestic travel within emergent economies, particularly in Asia Pacific, is now a defining feature of the industry's landscape. This data provides crucial insights for airlines, airports, and travel industry stakeholders planning for the future.
