Sunday, August 3, 2025
As August 2025 rolls in, the airline sector is witnessing some major shifts in domestic routes, with capacity surges on some of the busiest air travel corridors. South Korea’s Jeju International (CJU) to Seoul Gimpo (GMP) route remains the busiest domestic route in the world, closely followed by major routes in Japan and a fast-growing corridor in Saudi Arabia. This surge in air traffic comes with notable capacity changes, providing an glimpse into the travel dynamics of the future.
South Korea’s Jeju to Seoul: World’s Busiest Domestic Route
With 1.23 million seats available for travelers in August 2025, the Jeju International to Seoul Gimpo route retains its status as the busiest domestic route globally. This marks a 2% increase in capacity compared to the previous year. The growth in demand is driven by both domestic tourism and business travel, as Jeju’s pristine beaches and natural beauty continue to attract visitors. Travelers heading to Seoul, a vibrant city teeming with culture, are expected to experience smooth connections as more seats are made available on this high-demand route.
Key highlights:
- 1.23 million seats available in August 2025
- 2% capacity increase from last year
- Popular for domestic tourism and business travel
Japan’s Sapporo to Tokyo: A Strong Contender for Second Place
The Sapporo New Chitose (CTS) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) route claims second place with 1.05 million seats available. The route remains one of Japan’s busiest, with year-on-year capacity maintaining steady growth. This corridor connects two of Japan’s major cities, providing direct flights that cater to both leisure tourists and business travelers. The demand for these flights has been strong, as both cities play an important roles in Japan’s economic and tourism landscapes.
Key highlights:
- 1.05 million seats available
- Steady capacity growth year-on-year
- Vital for business travelers and tourists
Fukuoka to Tokyo: Another Key Player in Japan’s Airline Growth
The Fukuoka (FUK) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) route follows closely behind, securing third place with 969k seats. Like the Sapporo to Tokyo route, Fukuoka and Tokyo are major economic and cultural hubs, making this corridor highly important for both business and tourism. Despite facing a similar year-on-year capacity change, this route remains essential in connecting the Kyushu region with the bustling capital.
Key highlights:
- 969k seats available
- Important for business and tourism
- Economic significance of both cities
Jeddah to Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Fastest-Growing Route
Notably, Jeddah to Riyadh has emerged as the fastest-growing domestic route in the top 10, with a remarkable 21% increase in capacity. The route saw an addition of 154,473 seats compared to August 2024. This growth is attributed to Saudi Arabia’s rapid economic development and the government’s Vision 2030 initiative, which includes a focus on boosting domestic travel within the kingdom. The increased flights between these two major cities reflect growing demand for business and government travel, alongside the thriving tourism sector in Saudi Arabia.
Key highlights:
- 21% increase in capacity from last year
- 154,473 seats added to the route
- Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative
Shenzhen to Shanghai: Domestic Travel Growth in China
The Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) to Shenzhen (SZX) route ranks eighth and shows strong growth, with an 8% increase in capacity compared to last year. This route is crucial for business travelers, as both cities are major economic hubs in China. The expansion of capacity on this corridor further highlights the strong domestic demand as China continues its rapid post-pandemic recovery.
Key highlights:
- 8% increase in capacity year-on-year
- Significant for business travelers
- Key economic hubs in China
Declines in Capacity: Vietnam and China
While many routes are seeing growth, some key corridors are experiencing a decrease in capacity. The Hanoi (HAN) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) route, despite being in fourth place, has seen a drop in available seats compared to last year. Similarly, the Beijing (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) route experienced an 8% decline. These declines could be attributed to shifting travel demand patterns and competitive routes offering similar services.
Key highlights:
- Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City: Declining demand
- Beijing to Shanghai Hongqiao: 8% decrease in capacity
- Changes reflect evolving domestic travel trends in Vietnam and China.
Other Major Routes: Melbourne, Jakarta, and More
In addition to the primary top 10 busiest routes, other corridors, including Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD) and Jakarta (CGK) to Makassar (UPG), have witnessed slight capacity declines, at 5% and 2%, respectively. While these routes remain important for domestic travel, the slight reductions in capacity suggest changing patterns in passenger preferences and travel habits.
Key highlights:
- Melbourne to Sydney: 5% decline
- Jakarta to Makassar: 2% decline
- Shift in travel preferences impacting domestic routes
Final Thought: A Growing Focus on High-Demand Routes
The analysis of the busiest domestic routes for August 2025 reveals a clear pattern: South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and China are experiencing substantial growth in domestic airline traffic. The Jeju to Seoul route continues to lead globally, while Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah to Riyadh route stands out as the fastest-growing. These developments are an indication towards a strong post-pandemic recovery, with increasing demand for both leisure and business travel across key domestic corridors. Travelers should keep an eye on the evolving routes, as capacity changes could influence their travel plans and experiences.
