“These uncertainties feed a growing fear among Goans. Many wonder if Dabolim is being allowed to slip into a slow decline. The drop in international flights seems to confirm the suspicion. The gradual shift of some domestic routes adds to it. The lack of strong announcements on upgrades deepens it. And yet, on any given day, Dabolim feels far from dying. Its check in counters fill up early. The securityii lines stretch long. Its arrival hall buzzes in a way that Mopa often does not. In fact, for many travellers, Dabolim still feels busier than its newer counterpart.”
The new director of the Goa International Airport at Dabolim, Lieutenant Akash Deep, has stepped in with a confident promise. He wants to bring international flights back to the old airport. He plans to speak soon with airlines such as Qatar Airways and Air Arabia. His intent is clear and welcome, yet it raises a question that deserves serious reflection. Is it really that easy to restore what has been lost.
Dabolim carries the weight of history. For decades it handled every flight that came into Goa. It survived peak season chaos, narrow infrastructure and the complications of sharing a runway with the Navy. Even after the new Mopa airport opened, Dabolim still feels crowded. Travellers who fly regularly often say the older airport remains their first choice. It is closer for many in the south, familiar to locals and easier to navigate. Passenger comfort and habit play a strong role in aviation and this is one reason Dabolim has not faded from daily life.
But that does not mean the road ahead is simple. International carriers did not leave Dabolim on a whim. They shifted because the state actively encouraged growth at Mopa. Incentives were in place and the promise of smoother operations attracted airlines that need certainty. A newer terminal, longer runways and the hope of fewer air traffic delays made Mopa the preferred option. In that context, the new director faces a significant challenge. Can he convince airlines to divide their operations between two airports in a small state. Are carriers willing to deal with the delays that arise when a runway is shared with military movements. Above all, has the state made up its mind about what it wants Dabolim to be in the future. A robust civilian hub or a shrinking facility that exists only because it cannot be shut entirely.
The economics of aviation add another layer of difficulty. Airlines return to an airport only when there is stable demand, attractive pricing and a clear long term plan. They study data, not nostalgia. So what is the plan for Dabolim. Will there be expansions in parking bays. Can the Navy offer more civilian slots. Are there investments coming or is the airport simply expected to manage with its current limitations. Without concrete answers, the idea of restoring international routes risks becoming a headline rather than a strategy.
These uncertainties feed a growing fear among Goans. Many wonder if Dabolim is being allowed to slip into a slow decline. The drop in international flights seems to confirm the suspicion. The gradual shift of some domestic routes adds to it. The lack of strong announcements on upgrades deepens it. And yet, on any given day, Dabolim feels far from dying. Its check in counters fill up early. The securityii lines stretch long. Its arrival hall buzzes in a way that Mopa often does not. In fact, for many travellers, Dabolim still feels busier than its newer counterpart.
This tension between perception and reality makes the debate complicated. Dabolim is not an abandoned airport. It is not even close. But it does feel vulnerable. It resembles a lively old market that now competes with a modern mall up the road. People still flock to it but the shadow of uncertainty hangs over its future. As long as that uncertainty remains, doubts about its long term role will continue.
Lieutenant Akash Deep brings fresh intent and energy to his position. His plan to approach global airlines deserves attention. But it also calls for honesty about the obstacles ahead. Bringing back international carriers is not something that happens through polite outreach alone. It takes policy clarity and long term commitment from both the state government and the Navy. It requires telling airlines clearly what Dabolim can offer not just this year but five years from now.
So the real question remains. Is Dabolim slowly fading or is it simply waiting for leadership that can argue its strengths with conviction. The months ahead will offer the first clues. For the sake of travellers who still rely on its convenience and for the sake of balance in Goa’s aviation network, one can only hope the airport is not pushed toward quiet decline but guided toward a revival that it has earned over decades.
