(C) KED Global 

SEOUL – South Korea’s aviation industry reached a historic milestone in 2025, with total air passenger traffic surpassing 124.8 million, the highest ever recorded. While international travel surged to new heights, a significant structural shift was observed as South Korean travelers increasingly chose Japan and China over traditional Southeast Asian destinations.

Record-Breaking Surge Led by International Routes According to the latest data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea KAA (Korea Airline Association), total passenger numbers reached 124,793,082 in 2025, a 3.9% increase from the previous year. This figure officially eclipses the pre-pandemic peak of 123.36 million set in 2019. The growth was primarily fueled by international routes, which saw 94.54 million passengers, up 6.3% year-on-year.

The "Japan & China" Fever Japan remained the top destination for South Koreans, with 27.31 million passengers traveling between the two countries—an 8.6% increase from 2024 and a staggering 44.8% jump compared to 2019. Industry experts attribute this "Japan boom" to the prolonged weakness of the yen and the expansion of direct flights to smaller, boutique Japanese cities. Furthermore, a "balloon effect" occurred as Chinese tourists diverted their travel away from Japan due to diplomatic tensions, making Japanese tourist spots less crowded and more appealing to South Korean visitors.

China routes also witnessed a remarkable recovery, growing 22% to reach 16.8 million passengers. This resurgence was largely driven by aggressive policy changes, including China’s temporary visa-free entry for South Koreans and South Korea’s waiver of visa processing fees for Chinese group tourists.

Southeast Asia and Domestic Travel in Decline In contrast, travel to Southeast Asia and other Asian regions saw a slight dip of 0.5%, totaling 34.82 million. This decline is attributed to a combination of factors: the diversion of demand toward Northeast Asia (Japan/China) and growing safety concerns following high-profile incidents involving South Koreans in the region.

Domestic travel also struggled, falling 2.8% to 30.24 million passengers. Rising domestic costs and a strong preference for overseas vacations have led many locals to skip popular domestic spots like Jeju Island in favor of affordable international alternatives.

Future Outlook Aviation experts predict that the 125-million mark will be solidified in 2026 as international connectivity continues to normalize. However, the industry faces the challenge of balancing this demand with rising global fuel prices and shifting geopolitical climates in the Northeast Asian region.