Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: Flight Lieutenant Akash Deep has taken charge as the new Airport Director of Goa International Airport, Dabolim. A seasoned aviation professional with 33 years of experience, Deep aims to enhance the airport’s capacity and passenger experience through a series of expansion and development initiatives.
A certified International Airport Professional (IAP), Deep began his career with the Indian Air Force as a Flight Lieutenant before joining the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in 1998. Over the years, he has served as Airport Director at Srinagar, Bhopal, and Varanasi airports, and also as General Manager (RCS) with the UDAAN scheme — a flagship PM project. He has also held senior security roles in both northern and southern regions of AAI.
Speaking to reporters Deep said that presently, Goa International Airport handles around 11.30 million passengers per annum (MPPA), with 110 to 120 daily flight movements, both domestic and international.
” The Major domestic operators include Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, and Alliance Air, while Gulf Air, Scats Airlines, and Air India Express connect Goa internationally with Bahrain, Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Dubai. The airport recorded an average footfall of 15,127 passengers per day in October 2025.In all we have 19 sectors connected with Goa Airport and the new sectors connected to Goa in recent times is Hindon and Bhubaneswar . In addition we have got a new international connection to Almaty , Kazakhstan operated by Scat airlines. We have a total 51 arrivals and 51 departures on a daily basis and around 15,000 passengers per day.
” said Deep
Deep added that ,to meet the growing passenger demand, AAI has undertaken an expansion of the existing terminal building.
” The built-up area will increase from 65,600 sqm to 83,900 sqm, while total passenger capacity will rise from 4,450 to 5,150. The number of check-in counters will go up from 64 to 96, and elevators from 15 to 22, with enhanced facilities such as additional baggage systems and boarding bridges.”
” Among the recent achievements at the Dabolim airport are the inauguration of an executive lounge in the international Security Hold Area (SHA), opening of a duty-paid liquor shop for domestic passengers, a Rare Planet outlet, new money exchange counters, and 650 new three-seater chairs in the security lounge. A perfume outlet has also been added for travellers.Future development plans include a new duty-paid shop in the international SHA, expansion of the SHA area, additional parking bays, and shifting of the cargo complex to streamline operations.” Said Deep
Deep said the focus will remain on passenger comfort and operational efficiency. “The expansion of the terminal and upgradation of facilities will not only enhance the travel experience but also prepare Goa International Airport for the next phase of aviation growth,” he added.
