A 190 pc rise in air capacity between Europe and China in first six months of 2024, compared to same period of 2023 is one of the key highlights of a report on international air connectivity in 2024, released by Mabrian.

The United States is the best-connected country internationally, with over 83.5 million seats in the first half of the year 2024, while the United Kingdom is second best-connected destination, with 72.8 million seats in the period. These are some of the findings of a report on the top 10 countries with the best international air connectivity during the first half of 2024, released by Mabrian, a leading tourism intelligence company.

In a press statement, Mabrian says that the ranking reflects the outbound travel potential of these nations, positioning them as key targets in the global travel landscape.

The statement adds that the analysis, based on flight schedules, reveals a significant evolution in the connectivity landscape. It adds that within the realm of geographic markets, a notable advancement in connectivity between Europe and China stands out. Specifically, European countries such as Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, which all no longer require a tourist visa for travel to China, are experiencing a remarkable increase in connectivity, collectively offering 1.98 million air seats.

This marks an impressive 190 pc increase compared to the first half of 2023, when it was only 682,000 seats. This surge is supported by a recent measure announced by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to encourage the return of European tourism. It allows citizens of Spain and four other European Union countries to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 15 days.

Top 10 countries with the best international connectivity:

United States: 83.5 million seats

United Kingdom: 72.8 million seats

Germany: 53.65 million seats

Spain: 53.4 million seats

United Arab Emirates: 41.83 million seats

France: 41.15 million seats

Italy: 39.23 million seats

China: 35.13 million seats

Turkey: 32.52 million seats

Japan: 28.85 million seats

The statement adds that the total air seats for these 10 countries amount to 482.10 million, contributing to 42 pc of the global international air seats in the first half of the year.

‘‘Anticipating the potential of origin markets regarding their outbound air connectivity is a key factor in identifying where tourist demand will be and the most relevant opportunities for global destinations and tourism companies. However, it is essential to analyse each destination specifically,” says Carlos Cendra, CMO at Mabrian.

“US carriers are once again heavily investing in their international strategy, leading to a notable increase in seats across the Atlantic for Europe. The robust outbound markets of the UK and Germany are also experiencing significant growth in seats and connections as they recover strongly from the pandemic. The resurgence of China with a substantial number of routes and seats is promising, and if this growth continues, 2024 could surpass 2019 as the year with the highest international connections. Additionally, the influence of Emirates and Etihad is evident in the considerable international seats offered through the UAE, highlighting Dubai and Abu Dhabi as global hubs facilitating travel to and through the region,” says Gavin Eccles, Director of GE Consulting, a company specialised in air connectivity.