Author: jezzabellemente

An average of 39,000 seats per day operate on the world’s top route

Key findings:

• 14.4 million seats were scheduled between Jeju (CJU)-Seoul Gimpo (GMP) in 2025.
• Asia Pacific dominates, accounting for 9/10 of the top routes globally.
• Hong Kong (HKG) – Taipei (TPE) continues to be the busiest cross-border route.
• Jeddah (JED) – Riyadh (RUH) is the fastest growing top ten route YoY: +13% seats vs 2024.

LONDON, Dec 23 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —OAG, the leading data platform for the global travel industry, today revealed its ranking of 2025’s Busiest Airline Routes. The analysis is powered by OAG’s Global Airline Schedules Data and provides an overview of global route performance and trends.

Jeju to Seoul Gimpo is the busiest airline route of 2025 with 14.4 million seats scheduled, a modest 1% increase versus 2024. There is room yet for growth on this route, which is still 17% short of regaining its capacity level of 2019. Seven carriers operate on this intensely competitive route.

The second and third placed routes are both in Japan: Sapporo New Chitose (CTS) – Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Fukuoka (FUK) – Tokyo Haneda (HND) with 12.1M and 11.5M seats respectively.

The top ten comprises entirely of domestic flights, and Asia Pacific dominates with 9 out of 10 being in the region. The one route outside of Asia Pacific is fifth placed Jeddah (JED) – Riyadh (RUH), which has seen the fastest growth of any top ten route. 9.8M seats on JED-RUH represent annual growth of 13%. Fourth placed Hanoi (HAN) to Ho Chi Minh (SGN) also grew by 4% YoY and tenth placed Shanghai (SHA) – Shenzhen (SZX) has seen capacity increase by 5% to move into the top ten from its eleventh spot last year.

Focusing on cross-border flights, Hong Kong (HKG) – Taipei (TPE) is the busiest route of 2025 with 6.8M seats followed by Cairo (CAI) – Jeddah (JED) with 5.8M seats and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Singapore Changi (SIN) with 5.6M.

OAG’s Chief Analyst, John Grant commented: “The importance and scale of these routes cannot be underestimated and highlights the strength of emergent markets around the world. For Asia Pacific to be home to nine out of the ten largest routes in the world, all of which are domestic, is a remarkable indication of how these routes have recovered in recent times and their significance to the airlines operating those sectors.”

Find global and regional rankings of the world’s busiest airline routes in 2025 and methodology on OAG’s website.

About OAG

OAG is a leading data platform for the global travel industry offering an industry-first single source for supply, demand, and pricing data.     

Media Enquiries: pressoffice@oag.com

For more information on OAG visit http://www.oag.com/busiest-routes-world-2025

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7550a475-fbd9-437b-a8f0-a73f0eacaa8a

Source: OAG Aviation Worldwide

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) — Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Vision Realization Program has released a new report detailing key insights and progress in transforming the Kingdom’s quality of life, based on extensive surveys of residents, citizens, and visitors.

Titled Cities of Possibility: The Evolution of Quality of Life in Saudi Arabia, the report highlights how advancements across the Kingdom are reshaping economic, social, and cultural life while enhancing urban liveability, according to a statement.

Focusing on five major cities, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Madinah, and Abha, the report introduces a new approach to measuring quality of life, built around four interconnected pillars: Prosperity and Opportunity, Personal and Social Growth, Lifestyle and Recreation, and Sustainable and Safe Foundations.

It details how improvements in liveability, inclusion, and well-being have translated into measurable economic outcomes as Saudi Arabia develops future-ready cities with higher standards of living for all.

The report quantifies substantial gains, including a rise in women’s workforce participation to 36.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing the Vision 2030 target of 30 per cent. Investment licences grew 67 per cent year-on-year, placing the Kingdom 13th in the 2025 Kearney FDI Confidence Index.

Life expectancy increased from 74 to 79 years, and Saudi Arabia ranked second highest among G20 nations on the 2024 ICT Development Index.

Significant improvements in lifestyle, recreation, safety, and mobility are driven by strategic national investments, including US$1 trillion in tourism and leisure, expanding access to dining, culture, sports, and entertainment. (US$1=RM4.07)

Building on these achievements, Saudi Arabia has sponsored the global Quality of Life Initiative (QOLI), providing a unified, internationally recognised, data-driven framework that helps local governments measure and enhance well-being in their communities.

The Saudi Quality of Life Program continues to serve as a strategic enabler of Vision 2030, focusing on improving urban liveability and enriching lifestyle offerings across the Kingdom.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) — Hilton and Explora Journeys, the ultra-luxury ocean travel brand of MSC Group, have unveiled an exclusive partnership that brings high-end cruising into Hilton’s global loyalty ecosystem, marking Hilton’s first major expansion into luxury ocean travel.

Hilton president, global brands and commercial services, Chris Silcock said the partnership creates the perfect moment to introduce Hilton Honors Adventures, opening new ways for members to explore iconic and lesser-known destinations through elevated experiences.

Meanwhile, Explora Journeys president, Anna Nash said this partnership unites two brands committed to thoughtful travel, meaningful connection, and deep discovery.

She added that the collaboration blends the freedom of ocean travel with personalised, well-being-focused hospitality.

Central to the collaboration is the debut of Hilton Honors Adventures, a new extension of Hilton’s award-winning guest loyalty programme focused on immersive, adventure-driven travel, according to a statement.

Beginning summer 2026, Hilton Honors members will be able to earn and redeem Points on Explora Journeys’ voyages spanning the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and beyond. Explora Journeys currently operates two ships, with plans to grow its fleet to six vessels by 2028.

To mark the launch, Hilton Honors members can access a limited-time preview offer through June 7, 2026, featuring exclusive benefits on all Explora Journeys itineraries, with 16 curated sailings highlighted for added value and early access ahead of full Points integration.

The initiative builds on Hilton Honors’ reach of more than 235 million members worldwide and complements its portfolio of over 9,000 properties, including more than 1,000 luxury and lifestyle hotels, while extending loyalty benefits into fast-growing experiential travel segments.

With ocean travel gaining momentum among travellers seeking slower, more immersive journeys, the Hilton-Explora alliance positions both brands at the intersection of luxury hospitality, experiential travel and loyalty innovation.

— BERNAMA