CM reiterates that Dabolim Airport will continue to operate & there is no decline
Goemkarponn desk
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today yet again reiterated his stand that Dabolim International Airport will not shut down and will continue to co-exist with Manohar International Airport.
Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo had raised the issue in Assembly claiming that GMR had been pressuring the Indian Navy.
Reginaldo said that flight operations have been reducing slowly at Dabolim, as airlines are opting for Mopa.
During the Assembly session, MLAs from both the Opposition highlighted that airlines have already initiated the move of their international operations from Dabolim to Mopa, leading to fears that the Dabolim Airport, located within the Naval air base INS Hansa, will be closed for civilian flights.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said that Domestic Flights at Dabolim declined from 5095 Flights in January 2023 to 3510 Flights in December 2023.
“This is 31% Decline. International Flights declined from 372 Flights in January 2023 to 259 Flights in December 2023 with 30% Decline,” he added.
“It is obvious the existing airport in Dabolim would turn into a ghost airport once Mopa airport is commissioned. History has shown two airports cannot function in one state. In Goa too, history will be repeated,” Alemao claimed.
Alemao said that Domestic Passengers declined from 782573 in January 2023 to 555900 in December 2023 showing a decline of 29%. International Passengers declined from 68742 in January 2023 to 41483 in December 2023 showing a 40% declined
In response to the MLAs’ apprehensions, CM Pramod Sawant said that there is no decline in the passenger footfall at Dabolim, actually the Airport at Mopa has been envisioned to cater to the excess passenger traffic experienced at Dabolim and that both Airports are working to their potential.
“Due to the traffic congestion at Porvorim, people will prefer to fly from Dabholim Airport; I reiterate the assurance in the House that Dabolim Airport will not be closed,” said CM Sawant.
He further said that how can anyone pressurise the Indian Navy, we cannot tell the Navy to shift, they have been there for the last 60 years.
“No one can tell the Navy to shift their operations, we cannot get the parking fees on par with Mopa other all airlines will shift to Mopa. It’s a cabinet decision that Dabolim airport cannot shut,” he added.