Mopa Airport: North Goa's New Gateway

is mopa airport in north goa

Goa's Mopa Airport, officially named Manohar International Airport, is located in North Goa's Pernem taluka. The airport is approximately 35 km from Panjim and is designed to handle both domestic and international flights. Mopa Airport is being developed in four phases, with the first phase inaugurated in August 2022 and commercial operations commencing in January 2023. The airport is built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with GMR Airports Ltd. and its subsidiary GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) overseeing the construction. Mopa Airport is expected to reduce congestion at Goa's current airport in Dabolim and provide a world-class aviation experience for travellers visiting the popular tourist destination of Goa.

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Mopa Airport is located in North Goa' Pernem taluka

Mopa Airport, officially named Manohar International Airport, is located in North Goa's Pernem taluka. It is situated in the village of Mopa and is approximately 35 kilometres from Panjim. The airport is designed to serve North Goa and the neighbouring districts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. It is expected to reduce congestion at Goa's current airport, Dabolim Airport, which is a civil enclave operated by the Airports Authority of India and shares a runway with the Indian Navy.

Mopa Airport is being developed by GMR Airports Ltd. through its subsidiary, GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL). The project is based on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and is constructed in four phases. The first phase was inaugurated in August 2022, and the airport began its operations in January 2023. The airport is designed to handle both domestic and international flights and features modern facilities, including passenger terminals, cargo facilities, parking areas, and amenities for travellers.

The Mopa Airport project addresses the need for a second airport in Goa, which was recognised as early as March 2000 due to air traffic projections. However, the project faced delays for 14 years due to land acquisition issues and local litigation. In 2013, a techno-economic feasibility report established the feasibility of the Mopa project, and the Goa Government issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) in October 2014. Several bidders expressed interest, and the construction was awarded to the GMR Group.

The airport is designed to handle a large number of passengers, with a current capacity of 4.4 million passengers per year and a maximum capacity of 4.5 million. The ultimate goal is to accommodate 13.1 million passengers annually upon the completion of the fourth and final phase by 2045. The single passenger terminal building covers 700,000 square feet and can process approximately 1,000 inbound and outbound passengers during peak hours.

Mopa Airport is easily accessible via National Highway 66 (NH-66) and is well-connected to various parts of Goa. Transportation options such as taxis, buses, and dedicated airport shuttles are available for travellers. The airport is also conveniently located near popular tourist spots in North Goa, including the famous Baga Beach, which is just 30 kilometres away.

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The airport is named after the former Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar

The Mopa Airport, also known as the Manohar International Airport or New Goa Airport, is located in the Mopa village in North Goa. It is built under the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model, with the first phase costing around US$190 million. The airport is designed to handle both domestic and international flights and is equipped with modern facilities, including passenger terminals, cargo facilities, parking areas, and amenities for travellers.

The airport is named after Manohar Gopalkrishna Prabhu Parrikar, an Indian politician and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Parrikar was born on 13 December 1955 in Portuguese Goa and was active in the RSS's North Goa unit, becoming a key organiser of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He was seconded by the RSS to the BJP to fight the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party.

Parrikar successfully contested the election to become the Chief Minister of Goa for the first time on 24 October 2000, serving until 27 February 2002. He was re-elected on 5 June 2002 and served another term as Chief Minister. In total, he served three terms as Chief Minister of Goa. He also served as the Minister of Defence from October 2014 to March 2017. In January 2020, he was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Parrikar played a significant role in the development of the Mopa Airport. In 2016, the State Government proposed establishing an Aviation Skill Development Centre to provide employment opportunities at the airport for local youth. The foundation stone for this project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2016. The airport is a part of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, with GMR being responsible for its construction.

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It is the second airport in the state of Goa

Mopa Airport, officially known as Manohar International Airport, is the second airport in the state of Goa, India. It is located in the Mopa village in North Goa's Pernem taluka. The airport is built under the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model and is being developed in four phases. The first phase of the airport was inaugurated in August 2022, with operations commencing in January 2023.

The airport is designed to ultimately handle 13.1 million passengers per annum (MPPA) upon the completion of the fourth and final phase by 2045. The first phase was designed to accommodate approximately 4.4 million passengers, with a maximum capacity of 4.5 million passengers per year. The passenger handling capacity will be gradually increased to 5.8 million in the second phase and then to 9.4 million in the third phase.

Mopa Airport is built across 784,100 square meters of land acquired from the villages of Casarvarnem, Chandel, Varconda, Uguem, and Mopa in Pernem taluka. It features a single passenger terminal building spanning 700,000 square feet, capable of handling 1,000 inbound and outbound passengers during rush hours. The airport is designed to handle both domestic and international flights and is equipped with modern facilities, including cargo facilities, parking areas, and amenities for travellers.

The airport is named after the former Minister of Defence and former Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar. It is built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, with GMR Airports Ltd. and its subsidiary GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) leading the development. The concession period for the project is 40 years, with a possible extension of another 20 years.

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The airport is being developed in four phases

Mopa Airport, also known as North Goa Airport, is located in Mopa, a village in North Goa's Pernem taluka. The airport is being developed in four phases, with the first phase inaugurated in August 2022 and operations beginning in January 2023. The airport is being developed by GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airports Limited (GAL), in partnership with the Government of Goa. The project is expected to cost around ₹3,000 crore (approximately ₹32 billion or US$370 million) and is constructed using the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) framework.

The first phase of development includes the construction of a commercial aircraft parking apron, remote aircraft stands, service roads, aircraft maintenance technical kits, and a cargo apron with the capacity to hold a freighter aircraft. The cargo apron is served by ramp vehicles for efficient cargo unloading. Additionally, an air traffic control (ATC) tower has been constructed adjacent to the cargo area, and two hangars will be built for general aviation purposes. The airport is designed with sustainable infrastructure, including a solar power station, eco-friendly buildings, LED runway lighting, rainwater collection, and a modern sewage plant with recycling capabilities.

In the initial phase, the airport is expected to serve around 4.4 million passengers annually, with a capacity to process approximately 1,000 inbound and outbound passengers per hour during peak hours. The second phase will increase the passenger handling capacity to 5.8 million, while the third phase aims to accommodate 9.4 million passengers. Throughout these phases, there will be continuous expansion of the terminal, commercial and cargo aprons, taxiways, and aviation facilities.

Upon completion of the fourth and final phase by 2045, Mopa Airport will reach its full potential, capable of handling 13.1 million passengers per year. The airport will cater to both domestic and international flights, improving tourism and connectivity in the state. The increased accessibility and efficient transportation options provided by the airport are expected to contribute to the overall development of tourism, trade, and commerce in Goa.

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Mopa Airport is designed to handle both domestic and international flights

Mopa Airport, also known as Manohar International Airport (IATA: GOX, ICAO: VOGA), is located in Mopa, a village in North Goa's Pernem taluka. The airport is designed to handle both domestic and international flights, with modern facilities including passenger terminals, cargo facilities, parking areas, and other amenities for travellers.

The New Goa Airport is part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, with GMR Airports Ltd. and its subsidiary GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) being responsible for its construction and development. The airport is built under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and is planned to be developed in four phases. The first phase of the airport, which includes a single three-and-a-half-kilometer runway and integrated passenger and cargo terminals, was inaugurated in August 2022 and began operations on January 5, 2023. During this initial phase, the airport is designed to handle approximately 4.4 to 4.5 million passengers annually within its 700,000-square-foot terminal building.

The capacity to accommodate passengers will gradually increase in the subsequent phases. The second phase is expected to handle at least 5.8 to 5.9 million passengers per annum, while the third phase will increase the capacity to 9.4 million. Upon the completion of the fourth and final phase by 2045, the airport is projected to handle 13.1 million passengers per year. This phased development will involve the continuous expansion of terminals, commercial and cargo aprons, taxiways, and aviation facilities.

Mopa Airport will serve as a relief to the existing Dabolim International Airport, which shares its facilities with the Indian Navy, leading to restricted operational hours and airside congestion during peak times. Mopa Airport is easily accessible via National Highway 66 (NH-66) and is well-connected to various parts of Goa through transportation options such as taxis, buses, and dedicated airport shuttles.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Mopa Airport is in North Goa. Its official name is Manohar International Airport and it is codenamed GOX.

Mopa Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022 and commercial operations began in January 2023.

Mopa Airport is being developed in four phases, with the first phase costing ₹1,500 crore (US$190 million).

Mopa Airport is designed to handle 13.1 million passengers per annum (MPPA) upon completion of the fourth and final phase by 2045.

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