Jeju–Seoul Flights Soar to New Heights in 2025, Dominating the Asia-Pacific Aviation Market with High Frequency and Record Seat Numbers in South Korea

Published on December 27, 2025

The Jeju–Seoul flight corridor has once again secured its position among the world’s busiest air routes, underscoring the continued importance of short-haul, high-frequency travel in the Asia-Pacific region. As of 2025, this 450-kilometer route has soared to new heights, offering 14.4 million passenger seats, marking a 1% year-on-year increase. With nearly 39,000 seats provided daily, the Jeju–Seoul route is one of the most served links globally, reflecting the vitality of domestic travel in East Asia.

South Korea’s Jeju Island, a premier leisure destination, remains largely reliant on air travel to connect with the Seoul metropolitan area, primarily via Gimpo Airport. This high-demand route, which has consistently ranked at the top of air traffic rankings, plays a pivotal role in connecting Jeju’s tourism-driven economy with the country’s capital. However, despite its success, the route still operates at volumes 17% below pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the uneven recovery of global aviation, even on the busiest domestic routes.

Key Highlights of the Jeju-Seoul Route

• 14.4 million seats offered in 2025 — Reflecting continued growth despite the challenges of recovery.
• 39,000 daily seats — The volume of air traffic on this short, high-frequency route.
• Seven airlines competing for dominance — Reflecting the route’s commercial importance.
• Jeju Island’s tourism significance — A critical link between Jeju’s leisure-driven economy and the bustling capital, Seoul.

Jeju Island and Seoul together represent a unique air corridor that not only provides a vital travel link for leisure and business travelers but also serves as a barometer for domestic air demand in East Asia. With high flight frequency, short travel time, and sustained demand, it frequently rivals major international trunk routes. This air connection has long been considered one of the most intensively served air links globally, serving as an essential part of South Korea’s transport and tourism infrastructure.

A Look at Other Leading Air Routes in 2025

While the Jeju–Seoul route continues to hold its crown as one of the busiest, it is not alone in its dominance. The Asia-Pacific region remains the heart of global short-haul aviation, with several other routes ranking among the world’s busiest. Among them are:

• Sapporo–Tokyo (Japan): 12.1 million seats
• Fukuoka–Tokyo (Japan): 11.5 million seats
• Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam): 11.1 million seats
• Jeddah–Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): 9.8 million seats
• Melbourne–Sydney (Australia): 8.95 million seats

The overwhelming presence of Asian domestic routes in the top rankings emphasizes the unique geography of the region, where densely populated areas, limited land connections, and high domestic tourism demand fuel intense air travel competition. These factors contribute to high-frequency services that continue to drive growth, particularly as aviation recovers post-pandemic.

Top 10 Busiest Air Routes Globally in 2025

1. Jeju–Seoul, South Korea: 14,384,766 seats
2. Sapporo–Tokyo, Japan: 12,099,499 seats
3. Fukuoka–Tokyo, Japan: 11,496,706 seats
4. Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: 11,078,775 seats
5. Jeddah–Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: 9,819,558 seats
6. Melbourne–Sydney, Australia: 8,951,497 seats
7. Tokyo–Okinawa, Japan: 8,052,864 seats
8. Mumbai–Delhi, India: 7,642,016 seats
9. Beijing–Shanghai, China: 7,454,950 seats
10. Shanghai–Shenzhen, China: 7,138,673 seats

These rankings are a testament to the Asia-Pacific region’s role as the engine of global air travel. Short-haul routes, particularly in countries with high population densities and limited land connections, continue to dominate global travel patterns, accounting for the largest share of the world’s busiest air routes.

Saudi Arabia’s Rising Star: Jeddah–Riyadh

One notable mention outside of Asia is the Jeddah–Riyadh route, which ranked fifth in 2025. This domestic flight has seen rapid growth and is considered the fastest-growing route among the top ten, driven by strong domestic travel demand and the kingdom’s broader economic and tourism expansion. Saudi Arabia’s efforts to boost domestic tourism, combined with increased investments in infrastructure, have made this air link a significant contributor to the country’s aviation landscape.

The Resilience of Australia’s Domestic Routes

In addition to the booming air corridors in Asia, Australia continues to show resilience in domestic air travel. The Melbourne–Sydney route, one of the most competitive airline markets in the world, remains among the busiest, highlighting the importance of both business and leisure travel between the two major cities. With 8.95 million seats offered in 2025, this route continues to be a staple of Australian aviation, even as the country’s domestic travel market rebounds post-pandemic.

International Routes: A Diverse Landscape

Beyond the domestic routes, international air travel is also showing strong demand in 2025. The Hong Kong–Taipei route, with 6.8 million seats, leads as the world’s busiest international route. Other notable international routes include:

• Cairo–Jeddah: Reflecting strong regional travel demand in the Middle East.
• Kuala Lumpur–Singapore: A key route for both business and tourism in Southeast Asia.

These international routes underscore regional connectivity, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where cultural, economic, and religious factors play a significant role in shaping travel patterns.

The Dominance of Short-Haul Aviation in Asia-Pacific

OAG’s analysis reveals a striking concentration of the world’s busiest air routes in the Asia-Pacific region. This dominance reflects the region’s dense populations, limited land connections, and strong domestic tourism markets, which continue to favor high-frequency air services. While alternative transport options, such as high-speed rail, gain traction in some regions, air travel remains the preferred mode of transport, especially in countries where geography and economic factors make air travel the most efficient choice.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Air Travel in Asia-Pacific

As the aviation industry recovers from the pandemic, the Asia-Pacific region will continue to drive the growth of short-haul air travel. The resilience of the Jeju-Seoul corridor, along with other key routes, demonstrates the strength of domestic travel demand in countries like South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the rise of new destinations and the expansion of airline networks will further fuel growth in the coming years, as travelers increasingly turn to air travel for both business and leisure.

The ongoing recovery of the aviation sector, particularly in regions like Asia-Pacific, is a sign of things to come as airlines focus on serving high-demand, short-haul routes. These corridors are not only vital for domestic economies but also serve as a barometer for the global travel market, signaling where demand is rebounding most strongly.