PORVORIM: On Wednesday, MLAs representing different constituencies in South Goa expressed concerns about the potential repercussions on the tourism industry and the Goan diaspora abroad due to the proposed shifting of international flights from Dabolim to the Manohar International Airport at Mopa.
During the Assembly session, MLAs from both the Opposition and the treasury bench highlighted that airlines have already initiated the move of their international operations from Dabolim to Mopa, leading to fears that the Dabolim Airport, located within the Naval air base INS Hansa, will be closed for civilian flights.
The MLAs, including Vijai Sardesai, Mauvin Godinho, Aleixio Reginaldo Lourenco, Digambar Kamat, and others, accused the GMR group, which runs operations at Mopa, of pressuring the Civil Aviation Ministry to divert flights to Mopa for their own benefit. They also claimed that the government was favouring the growth of the GMR group, which earns 30 percent of its revenue from the Mopa airport.
MLA Vijai Sardesai stated that having dual airports in the State is not feasible and raised concerns about the lack of a flight management plan for dividing flights between the two airports.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and MLA Sankalp Amonkar highlighted the significant drop in domestic and chartered flights at Dabolim airport, while MLA Altone D’Costa attributed the decline in chartered arrivals to a substantial increase in landing and parking fees for aircraft.
In response to the MLAs’ apprehensions, CM Pramod Sawant reassured that the Manohar International Airport at Mopa was established after a feasibility study by expert agencies like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure the sustainability of both airports in Goa. He stated that despite Air India's intention to shift international operations from Dabolim to Mopa, the impact on the tourism industry in South Goa might not be significant.
Sawant further promised to write to the Civil Aviation Ministry to prevent the shifting of existing airlines from Dabolim to Mopa. He expressed his willingness to lead a delegation of Ministers to Delhi to meet with the Civil Aviation Minister, Defence Minister, and even the Prime Minister if necessary.