Goa Government's Concern Over Airline Shift to Mopa Airport

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has expressed concerns to the Centre about airlines moving their operations from Dabolim airport to the new Manohar International Airport in Mopa. In a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, Sawant discussed the impact on aviation operations and sought support for Dabolim airport.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has voiced his government's concerns to the Centre over airlines shifting operations from the Dabolim international airport to the newly functional Manohar International Airport (MIA) in Mopa.

Sawant raised this issue during a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi, highlighting potential impacts on aviation operations in the state. The meeting, also attended by cabinet colleagues Mauvin Godinho and Rohan Khaunte, as well as junior civil aviation minister Murlidhar Mohol, sought solutions to these emerging issues. Vumlunmang Vualnam, Civil Aviation Secretary, and M Suresh, Chairman of Airports Authority of India, were present too.

The CM emphasized that the Dabolim aero­drome, part of an Indian Navy base, needs further support amidst the operational shift to MIA, a greenfield project by GMR Goa International Airport. Union Minister Naidu assured full support to Goa towards enhancing and incentivising the Dabolim facility to maintain its significance. An exact count of carriers shifting to MIA remains unreported.

(With inputs from agencies.)