Top air routes in 2024 with Hong Kong-Taipei leading the way

16-01-25

In 2024, the air connection between Hong Kong and Taipei consolidated its position as the busiest international route, according to the annual report by the consultancy OAG. With more than 6.78 million seats on offer, this route regained its leading position, surpassing other key connections worldwide.

This link, which takes approximately 105 minutes, had occupied the top spot in 2019 and, after dropping to third place in 2023, retook the top spot in 2024. In the previous year, the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route topped the list with 4.9 million seats, highlighting the significant increase in demand on the Hong Kong-Taipei connection over the past year.

In second place, the Cairo-Jeddah route recorded nearly 5.5 million seats, evidencing a notable rise from the 14th position it held in 2019. Rounding out the top spots were connections between Seoul and the Japanese cities of Tokyo Narita and Osaka Kansai, reflecting the strength of air traffic in the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore Changi Airport stood out as a strategic node in Asia, appearing three times in the top 10 with routes to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta. In the Middle East, the Dubai-Riyadh connection was positioned as the busiest in the region, underlining the growing interconnectedness in the Persian Gulf.

On domestic routes, Asia maintained its dominance. The Jeju-Seoul route, with 14.2 million seats in 2024, consolidated its position as the world's busiest domestic route, reflecting the high demand for domestic flights in South Korea.

In Latin America, the San Juan-Orlando route stood out as the busiest, followed by the Lima-Santiago connection, indicating robust demand on these corridors. In Europe, the link between New York JFK and London Heathrow ranked tenth globally, consolidating its position as the busiest transatlantic route and underscoring the importance of this connection in international air traffic.

Globally, the increase in air capacity reflects a sustained recovery of the sector following the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this increase in activity poses significant environmental challenges. According to the Air Transport Action Group, aviation accounted for 2.1% of human-generated carbon emissions in 2022, a figure that continues to rise and underscores the need for sustainable measures in the industry.

Top 10 international air routes in 2024:

1. Hong Kong - Taipei

2. Cairo - Jeddah

3. Seoul Incheon - Tokyo Narita

4. Kuala Lumpur - Singapore Changi

5. Seoul Incheon - Osaka Kansai

6. Dubai - Riyadh

7. Bangkok - Hong Kong

8. Jakarta - Singapore Changi

9. Singapore Changi - Bangkok

10. New York JFK - London Heathrow

This ranking illustrates the dynamics of international air traffic in 2024, highlighting the preeminence of routes in the Asia-Pacific region and the relevance of strategic connections in other parts of the world.

The aviation industry faces the challenge of balancing air traffic growth with the implementation of sustainable practices that mitigate its environmental impact. The adoption of cleaner and more efficient technologies, together with policies that promote the reduction of emissions, will be crucial to ensure a balanced and responsible development of the sector in the coming years.