Asia’s connectivity rebound as China and Japan expand international seats availability

Data reveals the state of play in markets

Mabrian, the global travel intelligence platform, analysed the top 10 countries with the best international air connectivity during 2024, reflecting a strong recovery of outbound air seats availability in two key Asian hubs, China and Japan. 

Spain ranks third, after the US and the UK, and United Arab Emirates solidifies its position as connectivity hub for Middle East.

According to air connectivity data for 2024, Asia is gaining speed in rebuilding its international air connectivity network, growing strongly during 2024. 

As Mabrian data shows, China’s international air seats availability increases 75.8% compared to last year, reaching over 75,6 million seats capacity throughout 2024, while Japan adds 35.1%, offering more than 60,8 million seats in  outbound flights connecting with foreign markets.

Mabrian, part of The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group, built this ranking based on seats availability data on flights scheduled in international, one-way, direct flights throughout 2024. 

The total air seats for these 10 countries amount to 43% of the global outbound air seats during the 12 months analysed.

Five European countries (United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy) are featured in this ranking, all of them growing steadily. 

Italy adds 13.7% air seats in international flights during 2024, and Spain, third on this ranking and key connectivity hub with Latin America, grows 11.5% interannually. 

Germany holds the fourth position and grows 8.2%, followed by France, increasing international air seats 5% since 2023.

Notably, Turkey and United Arab Emirates deserve a particular mention. Turkey, one of the key connectivity hubs between Europe and Asia, grows outbound air seats availability 8.9% year over year; whereas United Arab Emirates solidifies its position as connectivity hub in the Middle East, ranking on the sixth position, with 85,6 million seats available in international flights and an interannual increase of 10.2%.

“The performance of GCC countries’ airports is worth to be monitored: 8% of international air seats availability are concentrated in outbound flights from, mainly, United Arab Emirates, as well as from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, even considering not all these markets grow uniformly”, saidCarlos Cendra, partner and director of marketing and communications of Mabrian. 

As Mabrian data indicates, besides United Arab Emirates, Qatar (13% YoY growth, and close to 31 million outbound international air seats) and Saudi Arabia (11.8% YoY growth, and over 40,6 million outbound international air seats) are the markets showing the best performance within this region, along with Bahrain (7.6% interannual growth), while Oman remains stable and Kuwait international air connectivity decreases, cutting down 1.6% of total outbound seats.