New OAG aviation data for 2025 confirms that the short hop between Jeju (CJU) and Seoul Gimpo (GMP) remains the busiest airline route on the planet. With a staggering 14.4 million scheduled seats this year, the corridor sees nearly 39,000 passengers traveling daily across the 243-nautical-mile sector.
Despite a 1% increase in capacity over 2024, the route still sits 17% below its 2019 peak. Competition remains fierce with seven carriers vying for dominance, driving one-way airfares down by 11% to an average of just $44.
The 2025 rankings highlight a significant concentration of domestic air travel within the Asia-Pacific region, with Japan and Vietnam showing remarkable resilience and growth.
| Rank | Route | Seats (Millions) | YoY Growth | Status vs. 2019 |
| 1 | Jeju (CJU) – Seoul (GMP) | 14.4 | +1% | -17% |
| 2 | Sapporo (CTS) – Tokyo (HND) | 12.1 | +1% | -3% |
| 3 | Fukuoka (FUK) – Tokyo (HND) | 11.5 | +1% | +1% |
| 4 | Hanoi (HAN) – Ho Chi Minh (SGN) | 10.1 | +4% | +8% |
| 5 | Jeddah (JED) – Riyadh (RUH) | 9.8 | +13% | +22% |
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Japan’s Enduring Demand: Despite an extensive high-speed rail network, air travel between Tokyo and major cities like Sapporo and Fukuoka remains essential. The Fukuoka–Tokyo route has officially surpassed its pre-pandemic capacity, signaling a full recovery for Japanese domestic aviation.
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Vietnam’s Competitive Surge: The Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City corridor grew 4% this year. Increased competition among six carriers has benefited travelers, with average one-way fares dropping 11% to $67.
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Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Expansion: The Jeddah–Riyadh route is the fastest-growing in the top ten and the only route outside the Asia-Pacific region. Capacity has surged 22% above 2019 levels. However, unlike its Asian counterparts, this route saw a 27% increase in airfares, with one-way tickets now averaging $95.
The 2025 data suggests that while the “Golden Triangle” of Asian aviation (Korea, Japan, and Vietnam) continues to lead in sheer volume, the Middle East is emerging as the new engine for domestic growth. The high frequency of these flights—often exceeding 100 departures per day on a single route—continues to underpin regional economic connectivity and tourism.
