Which nation leads in air travel in the year 2024? Destinations and aircraft models disclosed in recent aviation statistics.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently released its 2024 World Air Transport Statistics report, shedding light on the global aviation market and the busiest flight routes worldwide.
Aviation Market Rankings
Spain ranks as the fourth biggest aviation market, with 241 million passengers in 2024. The United States takes the top spot, with 876 million passengers, followed by China with 741 million passengers, and India in third place with 266 million passengers. The United Kingdom is the world's third biggest aviation market, with 261 million passengers in 2024 [1].
The World's Busiest Flight Routes
According to the IATA report, the top 10 busiest flight routes in the world by passenger volume are dominated by Asia Pacific routes. The Jeju–Seoul (CJU–GMP) route in South Korea is ranked as the busiest, carrying 13.2 million passengers in 2024. Nine of the top ten busiest routes are within the Asia Pacific region, with the Jeddah–Riyadh (JED–RUH) route in Saudi Arabia being the only non-Asia Pacific route [2][4].
The exact ordered list of the top 10 busiest routes is as follows:
- Jeju (CJU) – Seoul (GMP), South Korea – 13.2 million passengers
- Jeddah (JED) – Riyadh (RUH), Saudi Arabia
- Bogotá (BOG) – Medellín (MDE), Colombia – 3.8 million passengers
- Cape Town (CPT) – Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa – 3.3 million passengers
- New York JFK – Los Angeles (LAX), USA – 2.2 million passengers
- Barcelona (BCN) – Palma de Mallorca (PMI), Spain – 2 million passengers
The rest of the top 10 consists mainly of other high-traffic intra-Asia Pacific routes, although precise ranking beyond these points is not fully detailed in the report [1][4].
Europe and North America
The most popular European route is the flight between Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, with 2 million passengers in 2024. In North America, the busiest route is JFK to LAX, with 2.2 million passengers in 2024 [1].
Emerging Destinations
Angola, located in southern Africa, is a country with natural wonders that are largely unexplored due to decades of isolation. It is currently opening up and improving infrastructure. Chongqing, a city in a mountainous area of southwestern China, is attracting younger travelers due to its multilayered, Instagram-friendly terrain [3].
Notable Projects
Italy has given the go-ahead for a landmark Sicily bridge project, which could be the world's longest single-span bridge. In Rome, a network of ancient caves and tunnels lies hidden for over a century and is now being uncovered [4].
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the growth in the aviation market, challenges persist. For example, a flying phobia affects over 25 million Americans [5]. In France, whistleblowers are calling for change in the toxic kitchen culture [6]. Halfeti, a town in southeastern Turkey, was intentionally flooded in 2000 but still houses residents. It is known for dark roses growing in mineral-rich lands [7].
For those seeking a summer getaway, America's best underrated islands can be found for a vacation [8]. If you're interested in exploring the best headlamps for your outdoor adventures, CNN Underscored has a guide for 2025 [9].
[1] https://www.iata.org/contentassets/6a68b7d6c0664c37b2776b87c5e1f145/2024-world-air-transport-statistics.pdf [2] https://www.iata.org/contentassets/44924d5884014224b34c37c626a1e97c/iata-world-air-transport-statistics-2024.pdf [3] https://www.cntraveler.com/travel/asia/china/chongqing/a38773473/chongqing-travel-trends/ [4] https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/sicily-bridge-italy-new-design/index.html [5] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-files/201709/flying-phobia [6] https://www.ft.com/content/0984717a-37e1-4a6d-a08a-7a45e5f320c3 [7] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/turkey/halfeti/ [8] https://www.travelandleisure.com/destinations/north-america/best-underrated-summer-islands-in-the-us [9] https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/best-headlamp-2025/index.html
- The United States, with its vast population and intra-country travel demand, continues to dominate the global aviation market, placing first in IATA's 2024 World Air Transport Statistics report.
- With Spain ranking fourth for passenger traffic in 2024, the country's booming aviation industry may offer lucrative investment opportunities in its travel and finance sectors.
- As Europe's busiest flight route, the Barcelona-Palma de Mallorca connection showcases the potential for tourism, transportation, and lifestyle growth in the region, particularly among visitors seeking the exotic charm of Mediterranean destinations.
