Mopa overtakes Dabolim in domestic traffic; international passengers still higher at Dabolim

Team Goemkarponn

PANAJI: Goa’s aviation landscape is witnessing a shift as Manohar International Airport (Mopa) rapidly gains ground in domestic passenger traffic, while Dabolim Airport continues to dominate in international travel, according to official passenger data from January 2023 to November 2025.

Data shows that Mopa airport handled a total of 62.10 lakh domestic arrivals and 61.52 lakh domestic departures in this period, surpassing Dabolim’s 57.74 lakh domestic arrivals and 57.74 lakh departures. The figures highlight Mopa’s emergence as the preferred airport for domestic travelers, particularly in North Goa, benefiting from newer infrastructure and expanded connectivity.

However, Dabolim remains the hub for international travel. Between January 2023 and November 2025, Dabolim recorded roughly 9.69 lakh international passengers (arrivals plus departures), compared to Mopa’s 6.06 lakh international passengers. While Mopa began handling international flights only in mid-2023, Dabolim’s long-established international connectivity still attracts a larger share of overseas travelers.

Monthly trends show that Mopa’s international traffic started in July 2023, with 1,132 arrivals and 819 departures, gradually increasing to 22,300 arrivals and 18,091 departures in November 2025, reflecting a steady adoption of international operations. In contrast, Dabolim’s international traffic shows a declining trend, dropping from 4.81 lakh in 2023 to 1.84 lakh in 2025, suggesting a gradual shift of some international flights to Mopa.

Domestic traffic at Dabolim remains robust, but Mopa’s newer facilities, including state-of-the-art terminals and better ground connectivity, appear to have attracted a significant portion of domestic flyers. Analysts predict that Mopa could overtake Dabolim in total passenger volume within the next two years if current trends continue.

The comparison underscores Goa’s evolving aviation strategy, with a dual-airport model helping distribute passenger load, enhance regional connectivity, and reduce congestion at Dabolim, while catering to growing tourism and business travel demands.