By: Paramita Sarkar

The latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Official Airline Guide (OAG) for December 2025 has confirmed what many in the industry already know: Asia continues to dominate the global aviation landscape. According to the reports, Asia-Pacific has maintained its position as the driving force behind air travel, with 9 of the top 10 busiest domestic routes and 7 of the top 10 busiest international routes located within the region.

What’s Driving the Growth in Asia-Pacific Aviation?

The growth of Asia’s aviation industry can largely be attributed to a combination of factors, including high-frequency flights, low-cost carriers (LCCs), and the full recovery of regional travel restrictions. As the world transitions out of the pandemic era, Asia-Pacific hubs have surged in importance, connecting people and businesses across the globe.

Busiest Domestic Routes in 2025

Asia-Pacific’s domestic routes are bustling with activity, thanks to competitive regional carriers and growing demand for travel. Here are the top 5 busiest domestic routes for 2025:

1. Jeju (CJU) ↔ Seoul Gimpo (GMP), South Korea
   The Jeju-Seoul route has maintained its dominance as the busiest air route globally. Serving over 1.4 million seats per month, this route is driven by high-frequency shuttle services, with departures as often as every 15 minutes. The competition between Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and Jin Air keeps the capacity levels high, ensuring this route remains a favorite among both leisure and business travelers.
2. Hanoi (HAN) ↔ Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Vietnam
   Connecting two of Vietnam’s most vibrant cities, the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh route has become one of Southeast Asia’s busiest domestic routes. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways serve this route, capitalizing on the country’s growing domestic tourism market and improving business connectivity between north and south Vietnam.
3. Sapporo (CTS) ↔ Tokyo Haneda (HND), Japan
   The Sapporo-Tokyo route is the third busiest in the world for 2025. Carriers like Japan Airlines (JAL), ANA, and Skymark Airlines ensure that travelers can frequently access Japan’s northern region, particularly popular for winter tourism.
4. Fukuoka (FUK) ↔ Tokyo Haneda (HND), Japan
   Another high-traffic route in Japan, the Fukuoka-Tokyo connection is essential for both business and tourism. The route sees substantial activity, with major players like Japan Airlines (JAL), ANA, and StarFlyer driving the market.
5. Mumbai (BOM) ↔ Delhi (DEL), India
   The Mumbai-Delhi route remains one of the busiest domestic air routes in the world, fueled by carriers such as IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and Akasa Air. The demand for flights between India’s two largest cities continues to grow, driven by a strong business market and a burgeoning middle class seeking affordable travel options.

Busiest International Routes in 2025

As Asia continues to strengthen its position as a hub for international travel, its key routes remain the busiest globally. Here are the top 5 busiest international routes as of December 2025:

1. Hong Kong (HKG) ↔ Taipei (TPE), Hong Kong/Taiwan
   After a substantial capacity increase of 48% year-over-year, the Hong Kong-Taipei route has reclaimed its position as the busiest international route in 2025. With Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, EVA Air, and Starlux Airlines offering competitive services, this route has become essential for both business and tourism. The normalization of regional travel has also played a crucial role in boosting this route’s capacity.
2. Kuala Lumpur (KUL) ↔ Singapore (SIN), Malaysia/Singapore
   The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route has long been one of the busiest air corridors globally. Low-cost carriers like AirAsia, alongside full-service carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Scoot, offer frequent and affordable options. The LCC influence in Southeast Asia is highly visible on this route, with budget options increasing capacity.
3. Seoul Incheon (ICN) ↔ Tokyo Narita (NRT), South Korea/Japan
   The Seoul-Tokyo route is one of Asia’s most important and sees robust capacity, with Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, ZIPAIR, and Jeju Air operating flights. The high frequency of service between the two major East Asian capitals makes this route vital for business, trade, and tourism.
4. Seoul Incheon (ICN) ↔ Osaka Kansai (KIX), South Korea/Japan
   Similar to the Seoul-Tokyo corridor, the Seoul-Osaka route remains a major international air route, with Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and Peach Aviation providing extensive service. The increasing demand for travel between Japan and South Korea’s major cities ensures this route remains highly competitive.
5. Bangkok (BKK) ↔ Hong Kong (HKG), Thailand/Hong Kong
   The Bangkok-Hong Kong route continues to be one of Asia’s busiest international connections. Carriers like Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, and Hong Kong Airlines serve this route, benefiting from strong tourism and trade flows between Thailand and Hong Kong.

What’s Behind the Growth of Asia-Pacific’s Aviation Industry?

Asia’s aviation dominance is supported by several key factors, all of which contribute to its ability to handle some of the busiest routes globally. These factors include:

• Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) Growth: Southeast Asia and South Asia have seen significant growth in low-cost carriers, which drive capacity expansion on routes like Kuala Lumpur-Singapore and Mumbai-Delhi. LCCs have made air travel more accessible to a larger population, increasing flight frequencies and pushing airlines to offer competitive pricing.
• Regional Travel Recovery: With the end of regional travel restrictions, routes like Hong Kong-Taipei have seen major capacity increases. The normalization of air travel and increased connectivity have encouraged more business travel and tourism, which has also led to a spike in air traffic.
• Competition Between Regional Carriers: Intense competition between national and regional carriers in countries like South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam has led to frequent flight offerings and increased seat capacities on domestic and international routes. This competition benefits passengers, offering them a wider range of affordable and convenient travel options.

What Does This Mean for Global Aviation?

As Asia-Pacific continues to dominate global air travel, it has set the stage for continued growth in the aviation sector. The region is not only a critical player for regional connections but is also increasingly becoming a hub for global trade and tourism. For 2025, the resurgence of routes like Hong Kong-Taipei highlights the region’s ability to bounce back stronger, with capacity increases and a surge in demand for both leisure and business travel.

The “Golden Route” between Jeju and Seoul remains a prime example of the intense competition and high demand in Asia-Pacific’s domestic air market. As these trends continue into 2026, it’s clear that Asia will continue to play a dominant role in shaping the future of global aviation.