espite drop in passengers’ footfall by 15-20 per cent and reduction in number of flights operations, Director of Dabolim International Airport, S V T Dhanamjaya Rao has ruled out the possibility of shutting down the Dabolim airport.
But looking at the way in which major passenger airlines are shifting their operations from Dabolim to Manohar International Airport at Mopa, the indications seem to be otherwise.
A few days after commissioning of the MIA and before it could obtain aerodrome licence, IndiGo, Air India and Oman Air were the first airlines to announce closure of their operation at Dabolim airport and commencement of operations from Manohar International Airport. Last month Qatar Airways announced shifting of its operations from Dabolim to Mopa airport from June this year.
According to Rao, Dabolim airport handled 8.4 million passengers in the financial year 2023-24 but in the current financial year, it had handled around seven million passengers thereby showing a drop of around 15 to 20 per cent.
Reacting to the Qatar Airways shifting its operations to MIA, Rao said that the airlines operator take their own decisions and acthat the Airport Authority had to respect their decision.
Rao is optimistic that additional flights will in arrive at the Dabolim airport coming summer schedule solely due to its potential. He is expecting new sectors between Goa and Pune and Hyderabad and reiterated that the airport will remain operational.
Rao also disclosed that most of the Charter flights were operating from Dabolim airport except one international operator.
GCCI writes to PM
Taking note of the passengers’ footfall and reduction of flight operations at the Dabolim Airport, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has written to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister to facilitate a meeting with relevant stakeholders, including government officials, airline representatives, and local communities so as to explore alternative solutions that ensure the sustained operation and growth of the Dabolim airport.
The Logistic Committee of GCCI has suggested alignment of User Development Charges (UDF) for both Mopa and Dabolim airports and improvements in user facilities at Dabolim, in order to attract more stakeholders to the airport and contribute to its overall development.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho have umpteen times reiterated that the Dabolim airport will not shut for civilian operations and that both airports with co-exist in the State irrespective of decline in passenger traffic at Dabolim.
The Chief Minister claims that the Government of India had made additional investment to the tune of over Rs 500 crore on the infrastructure at the Dabolim airport to facilitate commercial operations.
The Union Cabinet too had approved a decision to the effect that Dabolim international airport will be continued for commercial operations.
The Opposition members had raised the issue in the State Legislative Assembly and had demanded that the government should immediately take up with the Government of India the issue of decline in passengers at the Dabolim airport since the commissioning of Mopa Airport.
Pvt entity to own Manohar International Airport?
Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) convenor Fr Eremito Rebelo has alleged that the government is extending support to a private entity to own Manohar International Aiport, which is bound to have an adverse effect on the Goan economy, if Dabolim airport is closed. Fr Rebelo has demanded answers from the government on this matter.