The 15 Busiest Domestic and International Air Routes in the World

Data on the world's busiest air routes have recently been published by OAG Aviation Worldwide. It covers both domestic and international routes and offers some very interesting trends indeed.

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By far the busiest routes can be found in Asia which reflects the region's recognized status as the fastest-growing travel market in the world. Only one North American route appears in the top ten and no European routes appear in the top 15. 

Their report does have some caveats, however. Chief among them is the fact that it is based solely on flight frequencies rather than total passenger load. 

That aside here are the busiest domestic and international air routes in the world.

1. Jeju to Seoul is The World's Busiest Air Route

Total departures (2017): 65 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 178

Main Airlines: Jeju, Korean Air, and Asiana Airlines

Jeju is an island off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. It has been a magnet for tourists for several decades now.

Most visitors tend to be Japanese and Chinese tourists.

2. Flights Between Melbourne and Sydney Are Better Than Driving

Total departures (2017): 54.5 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 149

Main Airlines: Jetstar Airways, Qantas Airways, Tigeraier Australia, and Virgin Australia

The commute between two of Australia's biggest cities would take at least 10 hours by car. The much quicker transit by air means it is the most popular way to shuttle between the two cities.

3. Flights Between Mumbai and Delhi Are As Cheap As the Train

Total departures (2017): 47.5 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 130

Main Airlines: IndiGo, Jet Airways, Air India, Go Air, SpiceJet

The Mumbai to Delhi route is an important connection for businesses with the political center of Delhi. Flights have dropped in price over the last few years making them comparable to train tickets.

4. Fukuoka to Tokyo Flights Are Quicker Than the Bullet Train

Total departures (2017): 42.8 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 117

Main Airlines: Skymark Airlines, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways

Taking around 2 hours, the flight between Fukuoka and Tokyo is a quicker alternative to Japan's iconic bullet trains.

5. Flights Between Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo Costs Less than $50

Total departures (2017): 39.3 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 108

Main Airlines: GOL Linhas Aereas and Avianca Brazil

Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are hands down, Brazil's economic and industrial powerhouses. Flights between the two cost under $50 or so and take a total of around one-hour.

6. The Sapporo to Tokyo Route Connects Two Great Cities of Japan

Total departures (2017): 38.4 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 105

Main Airlines: Skymark Airlines, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways

Sapporo is the capital city of the Japanese Island of Hokkaido. Its connection to the main capital of Tokyo is vital for commerce and tourism and helps both cities prosper. 

7. The Los Angeles to San Francisco Route Connects Two of California's Biggest Cities

Total departures (2017): 34.9 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 96

Main Airlines: American Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Virgin America, and Southwest

Connecting two of the largest cities in California, this route is seventh busiest in the world. Flights take around 1 and 1/2 hours.

8. Flights from Brisbane to Sydney Take Just Over an Hour and a Half

Total departures (2017): 33.8 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 93

Main Airlines: Jetstar Airways, Qantas Airways, Tigeraier Australia, and Virgin Australia

Brisbane is one of Australia's oldest cities and Sydney is one of its most iconic.

9. Cape Town to Johannesburg Is the World's 9th Busiest Air Route

Total departures (2017): 31.9 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 87

Main Airlines: Safair, Mango, Comair, and South African Airways

Connecting two of South Africa's biggest cities, the Cape Town to Johannesburg route is the ninth busiest in the world.

10. Beijing to Shanghai

Total departures (2017): 30 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 82

Main Airlines: Air China, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines

Flights between Beijing and Shanghai take just over 2 hours and connect two of China's industrial and economic powerhouses.

11. The Hong Kong to Taipei Route Is the World's Busiest International Route

Total departures (2017): 29.5 Thousand (29,494)

Type: International

Average per day (2017): 81

Main Airlines: EVA Airways, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, and Cathay Dragon

The Hong Kong to Taipei route is the world's busiest international route but only the world's eleventh busiest overall.

12. Bengaluru to Delhi Route Connects North and South India

Total departures (2017): 29.5 Thousand  (29,427)

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 81

Main Airlines: IndiGo, Jet Airways, Air India, Go Air, SpiceJet, Vistara

The Bengaluru to Delhi Route connects North and South India with a, relatively short, 2 hours and 40 minutes trip by air.

13. Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Is the World's Second Busiest International Route

Total departures (2017): 29 Thousand (29,383)

Type: International

Average per day (2017): 79

Main Airlines: Jetstar Asia, Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, SilkAir, Malindo Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Scoot

With both cities situated in the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, this short 1-hour trip is the world's second busiest international route.

14. New York La Guardia to Chicago Takes Just Over Two Hours

Total departures (2017): 29 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 79

Main Airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Sprint Airlines and United Airlines

15. The Bogota to Medellin Connects Two of Colombia's Biggest Cities

Total departures (2017): 27 Thousand

Type: Domestic

Average per day (2017): 74

Main Airlines: Avianca and LATAM Airlines Group