The skies above Southeast Asia witnessed the most bustling air traffic in 2023, with the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route soaring to the top of the world’s busiest international flight paths, according to data from travel intelligence firm OAG.
The short hop between the neighboring capitals, clocking in at just over an hour, saw a staggering 4.9 million seats filled throughout the year. While daily flights dipped from 82 to around 36 compared to pre-COVID times, the sheer passenger volume secured its crown.
Asia and the Middle East dominated the top 10 busiest routes, reflecting strong regional travel demand. Cairo-Jeddah (4.8 million seats), Hong Kong-Taipei (4.6 million seats), and Seoul-Osaka Kansai (4.2 million seats) followed closely behind.
The coveted New York JFK-London Heathrow transatlantic link clinched the eighth spot with 3.8 million seats, while other Southeast Asian connections featuring Singapore cemented its regional air hub status.
Closer to home, domestic routes in Japan and South Korea ruled the roost. Jeju-Seoul, Hokkaido Chitose-Tokyo Haneda, and Fukuoka-Tokyo Haneda racked up impressive seat numbers, exceeding 10 million each.
With international travel rebounding and regional hubs thriving, the skies seem poised for even more traffic in the year ahead.
