Air travel is booming in 2024, and as planes zip across continents, Australia’s domestic and international skies are proving they’re some of the busiest in the world. From our own bustling hubs to the global heavyweights, we’ve got the latest numbers on where passengers are flying – and flying often.
Australia’s busiest domestic routes
It’s no surprise that Sydney to Melbourne continues to dominate the skies as Australia’s busiest domestic route. In 2024, this well-worn path clocked more than 9.2 million seats, firmly holding its place at the top, according to global travel data provider OAG.
With an almost hourly flight schedule across Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar, this corridor isn’t just Australia’s busiest but ranks fifth globally among domestic routes. The sheer volume reflects its critical role in connecting two of Australia’s most populous cities for business, tourism, and everything in between.
Globally, the top three busiest domestic routes are led by Jeju to Seoul Gimpo in South Korea with an extraordinary 14.2 million seats, followed by Tokyo’s New Chitose to Haneda routes with 11.9 million seats. Sydney to Melbourne holds its ground as the Southern Hemisphere’s busiest, an impressive feat in a fiercely competitive sector.
Australia’s busiest international route
Turning to international travel, Sydney to Auckland takes the title for Australia’s busiest overseas route in 2024, with 1.6 million seats. The trans-Tasman connection remains a cornerstone of Australia’s international network.
Airlines such as Qantas, Air New Zealand and low cost carriers ensure frequent services, catering to the steady flow of leisure and business travellers. Auckland also benefits from serving as a major transit hub for Australians heading to destinations across the Pacific and the Americas.
Compared to other international heavyweights globally, Sydney-Auckland holds its ground. Routes like Hong Kong to Taipei (6.7 million seats) and Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (5.3 million seats) rank among Asia-Pacific’s busiest, highlighting the high demand in the region.
Australia in the global aviation landscape
While Sydney-Melbourne dominates at home, Australia’s contribution to the global aviation landscape is just as significant. Routes like Sydney-Auckland and Sydney-Singapore (just shy of the top 10) showcase the importance of Australian cities in connecting Oceania with the rest of the world.
Globally, the busiest international route in 2024 is Hong Kong to Taipei, with an impressive 6.7 million seats. This route’s resurgence reflects the rebound in regional travel post-pandemic, supported by strong demand from leisure and business sectors. Other top routes include Cairo to Jeddah (5.4 million seats) and Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita (5.4 million seats), showcasing the dominance of short-haul connections in high-density regions.
Top 5 global domestic routes for 2024
- Jeju (CJU) – Seoul Gimpo (GMP): 14.2 million seats
- Tokyo Haneda (HND) – Sapporo (CTS): 11.9 million seats
- Fukuoka (FUK) – Tokyo Haneda (HND): 11.3 million seats
- Hanoi (HAN) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): 10.6 million seats
- Melbourne (MEL) – Sydney (SYD): 9.2 million seats
Top 5 global international routes for 2024
- Hong Kong (HKG) – Taipei (TPE): 6.7 million seats
- Cairo (CAI) – Jeddah (JED): 5.4 million seats
- Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Tokyo Narita (NRT): 5.4 million seats
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Singapore (SIN): 5.3 million seats
- Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Osaka Kansai (KIX): 5.0 million seats
What this means for you
That’s a lot of data. But why does it matter? All of these seats are a reminder of the critical role that key routes play in driving global connectivity. For travel agents, these trends offer insight into where demand is concentrated, providing opportunities to tailor services for leisure and corporate clients. Australia’s standout performance on both domestic and international fronts reaffirms its position as a key player in the global aviation network.
