The surge in global travel after the pandemic has reshaped aviation trends worldwide. In 2024, the airline industry witnessed notable shifts, with certain routes standing out as the busiest on the planet. Among these, Indonesia has proudly secured a spot in the top 10 busiest international flight routes, reflecting the country’s growing significance in global travel.
For aviation enthusiasts and travelers, these rankings provide critical insights into the evolving patterns of post-pandemic mobility and capacity adjustments across major routes. According to data from OAG, the busiest international flight route this year is between Hong Kong (HKG) and Taipei (TPE), offering a remarkable 6.8 million seats.
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This route has reclaimed its crown after ranking third in 2023, returning to the top position it last held in 2019. Despite this impressive rebound, seat capacity on this route is still 15% below pre-pandemic levels. However, the 48% year-on-year increase signals a significant recovery.
Following closely is the Cairo (CAI) to Jeddah (JED) route, with 5.5 million seats. This route has experienced robust growth, showing a 14% increase from 2023 and an astonishing 62% rise compared to 2019. Meanwhile, the Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) route ranks third with 5.4 million seats. This route has surged by 30% over last year and stands 68% higher than its pre-pandemic figures.
Here’s the full list of the top 10 busiest international flight routes in 2024 as reported by OAG:
- Hong Kong (HKG) – Taipei (TPE): 6.8 million seats
- Cairo (CAI) – Jeddah (JED): 5.5 million seats
- Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Tokyo Narita (NRT): 5.4 million seats
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Singapore Changi (SIN): 5.4 million seats
- Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Osaka Kansai (KIX): 5.1 million seats
- Dubai (DXB) – Riyadh (RUH): 4.9 million seats
- Bangkok (BKK) – Hong Kong (HKG): 4.2 million seats
- Jakarta (CGK) – Singapore Changi (SIN): 3.9 million seats
- Bangkok (BKK) – Singapore Changi (SIN): 3.8 million seats
- New York JFK (JFK) – London Heathrow (LHR): 3.6 million seats
Notably, Indonesia’s Jakarta (CGK) to Singapore (SIN) route ranks eighth with 3.9 million seats, showcasing the region’s importance in the aviation industry. Asia dominates the list, underscoring its rapid recovery and growth after the pandemic. Singapore Changi Airport alone accounts for three of the top 10 routes, connecting it with Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Bangkok.
CNN Travel highlights that the Hong Kong–Taipei route has reached nearly 6.78 million seats, approaching its pre-pandemic popularity. In 2023, this route was ranked third. Similarly, the Cairo–Jeddah route has climbed the rankings dramatically, moving from 14th in 2019 to second place in both 2023 and 2024.
The resurgence of air travel is also evident beyond Asia. The Middle East, Europe, and North America each have one representative route in the top 10. While these increases reflect a significant rebound in global aviation, they also bring challenges, such as addressing carbon emissions, which remain a global concern.
As the industry continues to evolve, these developments underscore the shifting dynamics of air travel and highlight the growing importance of strategic routes like those connecting Indonesia to the world.
