2024’s busiest airports and the most popular flight routes

In 2024, the global aviation industry experienced a significant resurgence, with certain international flight routes and airports leading in passenger traffic.

In 2024, major international routes and airports saw significant passenger traffic, with Taipei-Hong Kong leading the way and Dubai International Airport maintaining its top spot as the busiest hub worldwide. Photo: Umedha Hettig, Flickr

This highlights the top international flight routes and the busiest airports worldwide, based on data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Busiest international flight routes

According to Cirium's data, the top international flight routes in 2024 were:

1. Hong Kong (HKG) to Taipei (TPE): Approximately 6.8 million seats. This route saw a 48% increase in capacity compared to the previous year, though it remains 15% below pre-pandemic levels.

   
   

2. Cairo (CAI) to Jeddah (JED): Approximately 6.5 million seats. This route has been a significant corridor for religious tourism, especially during the Hajj season.

   
   

3. Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Tokyo Narita (NRT): Approximately 6.3 million seats. This route remains a vital link between two major economic hubs in East Asia.

   
   

4. Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Singapore Changi (SIN): Approximately 6.1 million seats. The proximity and economic ties between Malaysia and Singapore contribute to the high demand on this route.

   
   

5. Jakarta (CGK) to Singapore Changi (SIN): Approximately 5.9 million seats. This route serves as a crucial link for business and leisure travelers between Indonesia and Singapore.

   
   

6. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Singapore Changi (SIN): Approximately 5.7 million seats. The tourism and business connections between Thailand and Singapore drive traffic on this route.

   
   

7. Manila (MNL) to Singapore Changi (SIN): Approximately 5.5 million seats. This route caters to both the Filipino expatriate community and business travelers.

   
   

8. Hong Kong (HKG) to Manila (MNL): Approximately 5.3 million seats. A significant number of travelers use this route for business and tourism purposes.

   
   

9. Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Beijing Capital (PEK): Approximately 5.1 million seats. This route is essential for diplomatic and business relations between South Korea and China.

   
   

10. Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Hong Kong (HKG): Approximately 4.9 million seats. This route remains a popular choice for travelers between Japan and Hong Kong.

    
    

Busiest airports worldwide

Dubai International Airport remains the world’s busiest airport in 2024, with millions of passengers passing through its terminals, solidifying its role as a key global travel hub. Photo: Mark Bess, Flickr

Cirium's data for December 2024 indicates the following airports as the busiest in terms of international seat capacity.

1. Dubai International Airport (DXB): 5.3 million seats. Dubai's strategic location as a global transit hub and its status as a major tourism destination contribute to its leading position.

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2. London Heathrow Airport (LHR): 4.0 million seats. As the primary international gateway to the United Kingdom, Heathrow continues to serve a significant volume of international travelers.

   
   

3. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): 3.8 million seats. Changi's reputation for efficiency and its status as a major transit hub in Asia support its high passenger traffic.

   
   

4. Istanbul Airport (IST): 3.5 million seats. Istanbul's strategic location bridging Europe and Asia enhances its connectivity and passenger traffic.

   
   

5. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): 3.3 million seats. As France's largest airport, CDG serves as a major hub for international flights, particularly to and from Europe and Africa.

   
   

6. Frankfurt Airport (FRA): 3.1 million seats. Frankfurt's central location in Europe and its status as a financial hub contribute to its high passenger numbers.

   
   

7. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS): 2.9 million seats. Schiphol's extensive network and efficient operations make it a key player in European and intercontinental travel.

   
   

8. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG): 2.7 million seats. Despite recent challenges, HKG remains a vital hub for international travel in Asia.

   
   

9. Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC): 2.5 million seats. DWC's growth reflects Dubai's expanding role in global aviation.

   
   

10. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 2.3 million seats. LAX serves as a major gateway between the United States and the Asia-Pacific region.

Asia at the top

The data from Cirium underscores the dynamic nature of global air travel in 2024, highlighting the resurgence of international routes and the pivotal role of major airports in facilitating this growth. The prominence of Asian routes and airports reflects the region's central role in the global aviation landscape.