Southeast Asia’s aviation sector continues its strong growth trajectory, with Cebu Pacific Air recording the fastest increase in daily capacity among the top 10 airlines. According to OAG, the leading data platform for the global travel industry, Cebu Pacific’s daily capacity surged by 36.9% compared to February 24.
AirAsia remains the region’s largest carrier, expanding its daily capacity by 13.6% to 2.5 million seats. Despite an 11.3% decline in daily capacity, Lion Air holds its position as the second-largest airline with 2.3 million seats.
Indonesia Leads Domestic Markets, Philippines and Thailand See Fastest Growth
Indonesia remains the largest domestic market in Southeast Asia, boasting 7.5 million seats—nearly double Vietnam’s 3.8 million. Among the top five domestic markets, the Philippines and Thailand are growing the fastest, with daily capacity increasing by 20.5% and 12.7%, respectively.
Total seat capacity across the region has reached 37.2 million this month, reflecting a 7.9% daily increase compared to February 24, accounting for the leap-year effect.
International Travel Expands Faster Than Domestic Routes
International capacity is outpacing domestic growth, rising by 10.6% in daily capacity versus 5.9% for domestic routes. Low-cost carriers are driving much of the expansion, increasing their daily capacity by 10.1% year-over-year and now accounting for 52% of the Southeast Asian market.
Indonesia remains the largest overall market in the region with 9.4 million seats, despite a slight 1.1% decline in daily capacity. Thailand follows with 7.4 million seats, adding 661,200 seats year-over-year—a 13.7% increase in daily capacity.
Key Airports and Regional Growth Trends
Singapore Changi remains Southeast Asia’s busiest airport, handling 3.3 million seats—up 5.3% from last year. Among the top 10 airports, Phuket experienced the most significant growth, with a 20.4% increase in daily capacity.
Bangkok Don Mueang International and Hanoi also recorded substantial growth, with daily capacity rising by 17.4% and 15.3%, respectively.
Strong Growth in International Travel Markets
Southeast Asia’s largest international travel market remains its connections to the rest of Asia-Pacific, with 8.1 million seats—an increase of 13.4% in daily capacity. Travel within Southeast Asia follows, with 6.3 million seats, marking a 7.3% rise in daily capacity.
The fastest-growing market is between Southeast Asia and Europe, where daily capacity surged by 19.4% to 833,400 seats in February 2025.
As the region’s aviation sector continues to expand, both airlines and airports are adapting to meet rising demand, with low-cost carriers playing a key role in shaping the industry’s future.
