Out of the 20 world’s busiest international flight routes, 15 are in Asia
For the second year in a row, the route between Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia, and Changi Airport in Singapore won the title of the busiest international flight route in the world.
The route sees some 30,187 flights a year, which averages at 82 flights per day. With less than 300 km (184 miles) between the two journey ends, it is one of the shortest international flight routes in the world. The plane journey takes just over one hour.
The second most frequent flight route is from Hong Kong to Taipei with 28,447 flights per year. And Singapore to Jakarta with yearly 27,046 flights. On average, there are seven carriers operating these routes.
Overall, 15 out of the 20 busiest international routes are in the Asia-Pacific region.
The world’s busiest international route with over 30,000 flights per year is between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. But which other routes make the Top 20? See the world’s busiest international and domestic routes right here. #BusiestRoutes2019 https://t.co/cCf7aqpS32 pic.twitter.com/T0OYRGzHzM
— OAG (@OAG_Aviation) March 26, 2019
On the other hand, the long-haul flights’ list is topped by flights originating in North America — particularly New York–San Francisco. Operated by four carriers, the route is looking at 15,500 flights annually.
The route is closely followed by a connection between New York JFK and London Heathrow, with 14,195 flights a year.
The busiest short-haul flight route is between the South Korean Jeju International Airport and Seoul Gimpo. This particular domestic route is nearing 80,000 flights per year, or over 200 flights per day.
Barcelona–Madrid route is the busiest short-haul route in Europe
In Europe, four out of the ten busiest international routes originate at London Heathrow. With 19,000 annual flights, the Barcelona–Madrid route is the busiest short-haul route in Europe.
The ranking has been put together by consultancy OAG which analyses travel and aviation data.
“Asia’s dominance in the world’s busiest routes reflects the region’s tourism growth, particularly within the Great Bay Area,” said Mayur Patel, OAG’s regional Asia-Pacific sales director.
“In addition to Hong Kong, which plays a strategic connecting role for many carriers, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta have become Asia’s new ‘golden triangle’, mimicking the influence of major United States hubs, Boston, New York and Washington.”
World’s top ten busiest international flight routes
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore
Hong Kong to Taipei
Jakarta to Singapore
Hong Kong to Shanghai Pudong
Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur
Incheon, South Korea, to Kansai, Japan
LaGuardia, NYC, to Toronto Pearson
Hong Kong to Incheon, South Korea
Bangkok to Singapore
