The year 2025 saw Hong Kong–Taipei continue to be the busiest international air route globally, according to recent data analysis. The route is served by seven airlines, led by Cathay Pacific, with a 39% capacity share. Despite the modest increase in seats offered, capacity remains below pre-pandemic levels, with 6.83 million two-way seats compared to 7.97 million in 2019.
Analysis indicates that Asia-Pacific carriers dominate the global rankings, with seven of the top ten international routes. The Cairo-Jeddah route ranks second, reflecting significant religious and labor traffic. The top domestic route also remains in South Korea, between Seoul Gimpo and Jeju, with nearly 14.7 million seats offered in 2025, driven primarily by carriers Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.
Japan’s domestic routes, Beijing-Shanghai, and routes within Vietnam and Saudi Arabia feature prominently among the top markets. Notably, the Chinese domestic route between Shanghai Hongqiao and Shenzhen Bao'an entered the ranks of the top ten for the first time, surpassing other routes due to capacity growth.
Capacity increases were driven by expanding markets like Jeddah-Riyadh, which added over 1.15 million seats compared to 2024, and Tokyo Kansai, which saw an increase of approximately 1.13 million seats despite regional tensions. These trends highlight the resilience and growth of regional air travel, even amid geopolitical challenges.
Overall, the data underscores Asia-Pacific’s dominant position within both international and domestic sectors and indicates robust growth in key markets, supporting continued recovery in global air travel.
