Team Herald
VASCO: The first charter flight carrying 334 Russian tourists landed at Dabolim International Airport on Tuesday evening, heralding the commencement of the new tourist season for international visitors.
Upon their arrival, the tourists were greeted with a warm welcome featuring a traditional brass band, embodying the renowned Goan hospitality. Officials from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Goa Tourism extended their greetings, offering rosebuds to the passengers.
A cake-cutting ceremony was organised to commemorate this significant occasion, with the pilot of the inaugural charter taking part in the festivities, ensuring a joyful and memorable start to the tourists' stay.
The arrival of this first charter flight has prompted optimism among Department of Tourism officials, who anticipate a robust season that will bolster local businesses and invigorate Goa’s economy. They have indicated that more charter flights are expected, bringing tourists from various regions of the globe to the state.
Earlier, on October 2, two charter flights from Moscow and Yekaterinburg, Russia, carrying a total of 349 tourists, had already arrived at Mopa International Airport. Looking ahead, additional Azure Air flights from Russia are scheduled to arrive in the state on November 15 and November 26.
Furthermore, beginning December 2, daily flights from Kolsovo Airport will continue to arrive in Goa until March 23, 2025, amounting to a total of 110 flights.
Similarly, flights from Kyrgyzstan are set to operate from December 28 to February 1, 2025, with one flight every Saturday, culminating in six flights.
Additionally, flights from Astana, Kazakhstan, will commence from December 7 to March 29, 2025, with two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays, totalling 32 flights.