Saturday, January 4, 2025
Tragic Plane Crash in California: Kit Plane Crashes into Warehouse, 2 Dead, 19 Injured
Friday, January 3, 2025
Busiest Airline Routes in 2024: The Top International and Domestic Paths
As the travel industry continues to rebound post-pandemic, the latest data from OAG, a leading travel intelligence firm, reveals the busiest airline routes of 2024. From the popular international connections to bustling domestic paths in the U.S., these routes are where passengers are flying the most this year.
Top International Routes in 2024 According to OAG’s analysis, the most popular international route for 2024 was Hong Kong (HKG) to Taipei (TPE), with a remarkable 6.78 million seats available. This 1 hour, 45-minute flight tops the charts, showing a 48% increase in passenger capacity compared to 2023, although it's still 15% below pre-pandemic levels.
Following closely, Cairo (CAI) to Jeddah (JED) ranks second, with 5.47 million seats, while Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) took third place with 5.41 million seats. Other notable international routes include Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Singapore Changi (SIN), and Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Osaka Kansai (KIX).
Interestingly, the New York (JFK) to London Heathrow (LHR) route made the top 10, with 4.01 million seats, despite being the eighth most popular route in 2019.
Most Popular Domestic U.S. Routes In the United States, Atlanta (ATL) to Orlando (MCO) tops the list as the busiest domestic route in 2024, offering 3.47 million seats. This route is closely followed by Honolulu (HNL) to Kahului (OGG), with 3.37 million seats, a route often taken for island-hopping within Hawaii.
Other popular U.S. domestic routes include the busy Las Vegas (LAS) to Los Angeles (LAX) path, which saw 3.35 million seats available, and Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX) with 3.21 million seats. The classic Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) route also remained a staple, offering 3.16 million seats in 2024.
Why These Routes Are So Popular The surge in passenger demand, particularly for short-haul flights and popular vacation destinations, has shaped these rankings. The Asia-Pacific region has experienced a post-pandemic recovery, with routes like Hong Kong to Taipei and Seoul to Tokyo benefitting from increased connectivity. Meanwhile, U.S. domestic routes like those to Orlando and Las Vegas continue to be strong as travelers return to their favorite holiday destinations.
As airlines continue to cater to both long and short-haul travel, it’s clear that these routes are key to the aviation industry’s recovery. Whether for business or leisure, these routes are where the majority of global travelers are heading in 2024.
Aeromexico Named World's Best for On-Time Arrivals in 2024
In 2024, Aeromexico ranked as the top airline globally for on-time arrivals, with 87% of its flights arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, according to the Cirium report. Saudia followed in second place at 86%, while Delta Air Lines took third place with 83%, despite challenges from a summer technology outage.
In the Asia Pacific region, Japan Airlines led with 80.9% on-time arrivals, followed by ANA and Singapore Airlines. Qantas was the only Australian airline in the global top 10, with 73.9% of its flights arriving on time.
Other top airlines include LATAM Airlines, Qatar Airways, Azul, Avianca, Iberia, and United Airlines. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was the most on-time airport, with 87% of flights departing on time.
This ranking highlights the resilience and operational excellence of these carriers and airports, despite the challenges faced by the aviation industry in 2024.
South Korean Police Ban Jeju Air CEO from Leaving Country Amid Deadly Flight 2216 Investigation
South Korean authorities have placed a travel ban on Jeju Air's chief executive, Kim E-bae, as part of an ongoing investigation into the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216. The crash, which occurred on Sunday, claimed the lives of 179 of the 181 people on board, making it the deadliest air disaster in South Korea's history.
Police have stepped up their efforts to uncover the cause of the disaster, with aviation authorities intensifying their probe. In a statement released on Thursday, the police vowed to "swiftly and rigorously determine the cause and responsibility" for the devastating accident. This move reflects the gravity of the situation and the urgency with which the investigation is being conducted.
China Eastern Airlines Launches C919 Aircraft on Shanghai-Hong Kong Route
China Eastern Airlines has officially begun operating the domestically produced C919 aircraft on its scheduled flights between Shanghai and Hong Kong. The historic flight MU721 took off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on Wednesday at 08:21, carrying 157 passengers, marking the first time the C919 has been used on this route.
This milestone also makes China Eastern Airlines the first carrier to offer scheduled commercial flights to Hong Kong with the C919. The airline plans to operate daily round-trip flights, highlighting China's growing capabilities in the aviation industry. The C919, developed by COMAC, is expected to strengthen China's position in the global commercial aviation market.