Japan’s domestic aviation market has fully recovered, with record passenger numbers in 2025 driven by tourism and business travel, signaling a new phase of growth.
TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – Japan’s domestic aviation market has fully rebounded, driven by the dual engines of tourism and business travel. In 2025, passenger traffic reached a record high, signaling a new phase of growth for domestic mobility and regional tourism across the country.
According to preliminary statistics released by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the number of passengers on scheduled domestic flights reached 111.47 million in 2025, representing a 4.2% year-on-year increase. This marks the second consecutive year the figure has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, highlighting a steady recovery in domestic travel demand.
Data shows that trunk routes accounted for 48.26 million passengers, up 4.6% from the previous year, while regional routes carried 63.21 million passengers, an increase of 3.8%. Overall passenger performance remained solid. Meanwhile, total domestic air cargo volume reached 616,898 tons, up 2.5% year-on-year. Notably, regional cargo traffic saw stronger growth at 7.9%, reflecting expanding logistics demand in local areas.
In comparison, Japan’s domestic passenger traffic stood at 106.67 million in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest figures have now exceeded that level for two consecutive years. However, cargo volumes remain at around 70% of pre-pandemic levels, hovering between 800,000 and 900,000 tons annually, indicating a slower pace of recovery.
Among the busiest routes, those departing from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport continued to dominate. The Tokyo (Haneda)–New Chitose route ranked first with over 10.26 million passengers, followed by Tokyo (Haneda)–Fukuoka and Tokyo (Haneda)–Okinawa (Naha), reflecting strong demand from both tourism and business travel.
Commenting on the surge in domestic travel, Kenichi Sato, an office worker based in Tokyo, said, “Over the past two years, I’ve clearly noticed an increase in both business trips and leisure travel. Flights to Hokkaido and Kyushu are almost always full. Ticket prices sometimes rise, but it’s still hard to secure ideal departure times.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Lin, a traveler from Taiwan, shared her experience: “During this trip to Japan, I didn’t just stay in Tokyo—I also flew to Okinawa. Japan’s domestic flights offer a wide range of options and flexible schedules, which makes it very convenient for international visitors and allows for more flexible travel planning.”
The Consumer Aesthetics and Cultural Tourism Society Japan noted that the growth in domestic air travel reflects not only a recovery in transportation demand but also a rising interest in in-depth cultural experiences. According to the association, travel trends have shifted from single-city sightseeing to multi-destination, cross-regional exploration, incorporating local crafts, cuisine, and seasonal activities—further driving demand for regional routes.
Overall, Japan’s domestic aviation market continues to expand amid the recovery of tourism and business travel. With passenger traffic firmly back on a growth trajectory, demand for domestic routes is expected to remain stable as international travel rebounds further and regional tourism initiatives gain momentum.
Media Contacts:
Consumer Aesthetics and Cultural Tourism Society Japan
PR Agency:
MERXWIRE INC.
Ada Huang
pr@merxwire.com
SOURCE: Consumer Aesthetics and Cultural Tourism Society Japan
