Team Goemkarponn
In a remarkable turn of events, Goa’s Mopa Airport has become the choice of travelers, enjoying a significant surge in passenger traffic since its opening in 2022. Meanwhile, the once-thriving Dabolim Airport has seen a notable decline. This trend has sparked intense debate among stakeholders about whether Goa’s tourism industry is genuinely growing or if travelers are merely shifting between airports.
As international travelers increasingly prefer Mopa, its passenger numbers have skyrocketed. In 2023, Mopa welcomed just 13,845 international passengers, but by 2024, this figure had impressively jumped to 101,804. Conversely, Dabolim Airport witnessed a stark drop from 481,913 international passengers in 2023 to 302,130 in 2024. This redistribution suggests that travelers are moving from Dabolim to Mopa rather than an overall increase in tourism numbers.
Critics argue that Mopa’s growth mirrors this shift rather than attracting new tourists. Domestically, Mopa experienced a considerable rise in passenger numbers, growing from 15,63,130 in 2023 to 22,44,497 in 2024. On the other hand, Dabolim’s domestic traffic slightly declined from 69,55,313 in 2023 to 67,41,415 in 2024. In January 2025, Mopa handled 3,62,600 domestic and 50,319 international passengers, while Dabolim recorded 6,86,149 domestic and 24,612 international passengers.
This trend not only highlights Mopa’s growing popularity but also raises questions about the future of Dabolim, sparking concerns that it might become a “ghost airport” if not supported.
