Top Flight Sectors from Tier-2 Cities Indian Agents Should Target

India’s aviation boom isn’t just in Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru. With UDAN routes expanding and secondary airports being upgraded, Tier-2 cities are now driving significant air traffic—both domestic and international.

For B2B agents and consolidators, these markets represent high-potential sectors with less OTA competition and more room for customized, value-added travel products.

🧠 Why Tier-2 City Routes Matter in 2025

• Increasing direct international connections (e.g. Surat–Dubai, Amritsar–Kuala Lumpur)

• Strong demand from NRI families, religious groups, SMEs, and students

• Underserved by OTAs—clients rely more on agents for flight + visa + hotel bundling

• More charter and series fare movement from these cities for fixed groups and events

  
  

🛫 Top Tier-2 City Domestic Flight Sectors

🕌 1. Lucknow – Mumbai / Hyderabad / Bengaluru

Why: VFR, student, and corporate movement
Agent Tip: Offer group pricing for medical tourism and intercity weddings

🛕 2. Coimbatore – Delhi / Pune

Why: SME business travel + religious group tours
Client Segments: Industrial delegations, temple visit circuits
Fare Strategy: Use consolidator fares or LCC combos to create weekend circuits

🏞️ 3. Guwahati – Kolkata / Delhi

Why: Gateway to Northeast India + growing leisure traffic
Add-on Tip: Promote tours to Shillong, Kaziranga, and Tawang with airfare + local ground packages

🏖️ 4. Surat – Goa / Kochi

Why: High-value wedding and leisure travel
Best Strategy: Push off-season group departures and series fare availability

🏙️ 5. Indore – Bengaluru / Hyderabad

Why: SME, tech, and student flow
Agent Angle: Sell last-minute corporate returns + low-fare early morning business flights

🌏 Top Tier-2 to Asia Flight Sectors:

🕌 1. Amritsar – Dubai / Kuala Lumpur / Tashkent

Why: NRI families, religious tours, and visa-on-arrival deals
Promote As: Fixed departures for spiritual tours or family bundles

🌴 2. Trichy – Singapore / Colombo

Why: Tamil diaspora + temple tours + budget leisure
Travel Tip: Use series fares with add-ons like visa + insurance + temple darshan

🕋 3. Calicut – Jeddah / Doha

Why: VFR and Umrah groups from Kerala
Agent Strategy: Partner with local masjids and travel committees to book block groups

🎓 4. Nagpur – Bangkok (via Kolkata/Delhi)

Why: Student and medical traffic
Add-on: Offer Bangkok + Pattaya + visa bundle for short-haul FITs

🏯 5. Bhubaneswar – Kuala Lumpur / Bangkok (via Kolkata/Chennai)

Why: Educational, Buddhist trail, and cultural tour demand
Sell To: Schools, Buddhist associations, Odisha-based trusts

📦 Packaging Tips for Tier-2 City Sectors

✅ Bundle Visa, Insurance, and Airport Transfers

Clients in Tier-2 markets often look to agents for full support.

✅ Create Regional Language Flyers and Promotions

Use WhatsApp and local advertising to promote “Direct Flights from Your City” with religious, leisure, or corporate themes.

✅ Promote Off-Peak Group Departures

Sell fixed-date departures 30–60 days in advance with attractive fares and festive discounts.

✅ Partner with Local Institutions

Schools, mandirs, masjids, and SMEs are often the most reliable repeat clients from Tier-2 cities.

Final Thoughts

India’s Tier-2 cities are no longer just feeder markets—they’re self-sustaining travel hubs. For B2B agents, these cities offer untapped potential, better customer trust, and scalable group traffic when targeted with the right routes and support services.

As 2025 unfolds, focus your attention beyond the metros—because the next wave of travel growth is taking off from Tier-2 India.