Major flight booking apps show flights from Mopa in Nov; move raises concerns among stakeholders, sparks debate
VASCO
All is not well for the Goa International Airport at Dabolim, as Air Arabia, currently operating from Dabolim airport, is likely to shift its operations to Mopa from November 2024.
According to highly placed sources, Air Arabia could be the sixth international airline to move its base from Dabolim Airport to Mopa. Previously, Air India, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Aeroflot, and TUI chartered flights have shifted operations from Dabolim to Mopa, raising concerns among the stakeholders of Dabolim airport, including taxi operators, shack owners, and others.
The issue has sparked debates on multiple occasions, with the Opposition grilling the ruling party. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho have assured that Dabolim Airport will continue its operations.
The government has consistently maintained that Dabolim airport has already begun significant infrastructure development to meet the rising air traffic demands. They have also stated that the Central government has assured them that the South Goa airport will never close down. However, the Opposition argues that Dabolim could soon die a slow death, becoming a ghost airport or being taken over by the defence sector.
Despite these assurances, the number of flights arriving at Dabolim Airport has significantly declined since the Manohar International Airport at Mopa commenced operations.
According to sources, Air Arabia could soon shift its operations to Mopa. A highly placed source indicated that this move might start by November this year.
“If we check major flight booking apps, Air Arabia flights are shown from Mopa from November. The Air Arabia flight used to depart from Dabolim airport at around 4 am, but the direct flight from Mopa Airport is scheduled for 2:15 in the afternoon. This information is available on major websites used by people to book their tickets,” the source said.
A source at the Goa International Airport neither confirmed nor denied this information when contacted by The Goan. “As of now, the Airport Director of Goa International Airport has been transferred, so we cannot comment on this question. However, I can say that it is the airline operator’s decision, and they can use the option if they feel it is necessary in the future,” said the source.
A taxi operator at Dabolim Airport mentioned that the news had already been circulating among their groups. “We are literally struggling for business as many flights are being diverted from this airport to Mopa. We have confirmed information that this flight will shift operations from Dabolim to Mopa Airport, and the official announcement will likely be made after the assembly session,” said the taxi operator.
“Almost all international flights have shifted operations from Dabolim Airport. We only have one Air India flight arriving from Dubai and Gulf Air from Bahrain to rely on if Air Arabia shifts operations to Mopa,” the taxi operator added.
A prominent travel agent also confirmed that Air Arabia flights could move their operations to Mopa Airport. “We have received indications that Air Arabia will shift operations to Mopa from Dabolim. The flights are likely to shift operations from October 29, but there has been no official announcement from the company yet. Even in the system, it shows the same, with Air Arabia flights from Dabolim listed until October 29, after which they are operational from Mopa,” said the travel agent.
Ironically, the Dabolim constituency, which houses the Goa International Airport, has given Goa a cabinet minister in the form of Mauvin Godinho and an MP in the form of Captain Viriato Fernandes. While the two may be arch-political rivals, they both agree on saving Dabolim Airport for the sake of South Goa residents and have always vociferously voiced their concerns to prevent the shifting of operations.
In the past, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho mentioned that he had already led a delegation with CM Pramod Sawant to meet the Union minister, who assured them that no flights would be diverted from Dabolim to Mopa.
Meanwhile, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has alleged the role of the BJP government in supporting crony capitalists and assured to raise the issue in the Assembly.
