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Dabolim Airport, an international airport serving Panaji, the capital of the state of Goa, India, has been facing capacity constraints due to the military and naval presence, leading to the proposal and construction of a second airport at Mopa. Despite initial concerns about the potential closure of Dabolim Airport, the Goa government has assured that it will remain operational for civilian use even after the new airport at Mopa becomes fully functional. The airport has undergone modernisation projects, including the construction of a new integrated terminal, to accommodate the growing demand for air travel to Goa.
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Dabolim Airport will remain operational for civilian use
Dabolim Airport, an international airport serving Panaji, the capital of the state of Goa, India, will remain operational for civilian use. This assurance has been given by the Goa government, including chief minister Pramod Sawant, transport minister Mauvin Godinho, and former chief minister Manohar Parrikar. They have stated that the airport, which is one of the top three airports in the country, will continue to serve both domestic and international travellers even after the new airport at Mopa becomes fully operational.
The decision to keep Dabolim Airport open for civilian use has been a subject of debate and speculation. Initially, there were concerns that the new airport at Mopa, located in the extreme north of Goa, would lead to the closure of Dabolim, causing a negative impact on businesses in the south. However, due to opposition and protests, the government modified its decision, ensuring the continuation of civilian aircraft operations at Dabolim.
Mopa Airport, located approximately 60 km from Dabolim, was constructed to address capacity constraints and air traffic congestion at Dabolim, which also serves as an Indian Navy naval airbase. The new airport is expected to handle around 3.4 million passengers and has been projected to cost around ₹3,300 crore.
Despite the shift of some airlines, such as Oman Air, to the new airport, Dabolim Airport is expected to continue receiving ample traffic. Transport minister Mauvin Godinho has forecasted a promising trajectory for tourism in Goa, predicting a significant increase in the number of tourists and travellers in the coming years.
Dabolim Airport has undergone modernisation and expansion projects over the years, including the construction of integrated terminal buildings, parking facilities, and additional aircraft stands. These developments further highlight the airport's ongoing importance and viability for civilian use.
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Mopa Airport, 60km away, is now operational
Mopa International Airport, located in North Goa, is now operational and is Goa's second airport after Dabolim International Airport. Mopa Airport is approximately 60 km (37 mi) from Dabolim Airport and offers several advantages to travellers.
Mopa Airport boasts impressive infrastructure, including modern lounges, ample parking facilities, and efficient baggage handling systems. It is designed to handle a larger volume of tourists and provides a more comfortable travel experience. The airport is well-connected by road and offers quick access to popular destinations in North Goa, such as Anjuna, Vagator, and Calangute.
On the other hand, Dabolim Airport, located in South Goa, continues to be a preferred choice for travellers heading to the southern beaches like Colva, Palolem, and Benaulim due to its central location and convenient connectivity. However, Dabolim has faced capacity constraints and air traffic congestion due to military and naval presence, which led to the proposal and construction of Mopa Airport.
Despite the addition of Mopa Airport, the Transport Minister of Goa, Mauvin Godinho, has assured that Dabolim Airport will remain operational. He stated that there will be ample traffic for both airports and dismissed concerns about reduced traffic. With the increasing demand for air travel to Goa, both airports are expected to efficiently handle the growing influx of tourists.
The introduction of Mopa Airport provides travellers with more options and caters to different needs. While Mopa offers modern amenities and better facilities, Dabolim remains well-connected to key destinations within Goa and provides quick and straightforward travel to popular spots in South Goa.
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Dabolim Airport is one of the top three airports in India
Dabolim Airport, located in the village of Dabolim in Goa, is one of the top three airports in India, according to transport minister Mauvin Godinho. Serving Panaji, the capital of the state of Goa, the airport is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) as a civil enclave in an Indian Navy naval base named INS Hansa.
In the fiscal year 2024-25, the airport handled over 7.2 million passengers. However, since the fiscal year 2023-24, the airport has witnessed a decline in passengers, air traffic, and cargo traffic due to the opening of a second airport in the state. Despite this, Dabolim Airport remains one of the busiest airports in the country, boasting sufficient flights to meet the demands of both domestic and international travellers.
The airport was built in 1955 by the Government of the Portuguese State of India on 249 acres of land. It was originally named Aeroporto de Dabolim and was later officially renamed Aeroporto General Bénard Guedes. During the Annexation of Goa in December 1961, the airport was bombarded by the Indian Air Force, resulting in the destruction of parts of its infrastructure. In April 1962, the airport was occupied by the Indian Navy's air wing.
Over the years, Dabolim Airport has undergone several upgrades and expansions. In 2006, the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry announced a modernisation project that included the construction of a new international passenger terminal and additional aircraft stands. The airport's integrated terminal, designed by the India-based architecture firm Creative Group, was inaugurated in December 2013. The completed taxiway was opened in December 2019, raising the capacity of the runway from 15 air traffic movements (ATMs) per hour to 18-20 ATMs per hour.
Despite the construction of a second airport in Goa, located in Mopa, approximately 60 km from Dabolim Airport, the transport minister has assured that Dabolim Airport will remain operational. With the increasing demand for air travel to Goa, both airports are necessary to efficiently handle the growing influx of passengers.
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The airport has been undergoing modernisation since 2006
Dabolim Airport, an international airport serving Panaji, the capital of the state of Goa, India, has been undergoing modernisation since 2006. The airport is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) as a civil enclave in an Indian Navy naval airbase named INS Hansa.
In 2006, the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry announced a plan to upgrade Dabolim Airport, which included constructing a new international passenger terminal and adding several more aircraft stands over an area of about 4 hectares (9.9 acres). The modernisation project was one of 35 airport expansion projects undertaken by the AAI, and in terms of size and money, it was its third-largest project after Chennai and Kolkata airports. The project included the construction of an integrated terminal building, a multi-level car parking (MLCP) facility, and additional parking stands for aircraft. The construction was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007, but delays in the transfer of the required land from the Navy held up the process.
The airport has been facing capacity constraints and air traffic congestion due to the military and naval presence. To address this issue, a second airport at Mopa was proposed and completed in December 2022, with operations starting in January 2023. Despite the opening of the new airport, Dabolim Airport is expected to remain operational, handling both domestic and international flights. The airport has seen a decline in passenger, air, and cargo traffic since the new airport opened, but it is still ranked among the top ten in the country in terms of passenger traffic.
The airport's integrated terminal, designed by Creative Group, an India-based architecture firm, was inaugurated in December 2013. The airport handled over 7.2 million passengers in the fiscal year 2024-25, with an average of 3,467 passengers per day in 2004-05. The airport authorities consider that it has been operating at saturation levels since 2004, with about 93% of India's international charter tourist flights arriving at Goa.
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The airport is located in South Goa, 30km from the state capital
Dabolim Airport is located in South Goa, 30km from the state capital, Panaji. It is an international airport serving Panaji, the capital of the state of Goa, India. It is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) as a civil enclave in an Indian Navy naval airbase named INS Hansa.
In 2006, the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry announced a plan to upgrade Dabolim Airport. This involved constructing a new international passenger terminal and adding several more aircraft stands. The modernisation project was one of 35 airport expansion projects undertaken by the AAI, and in terms of size and money, it was the third largest after Chennai and Kolkata airports. The airport's integrated terminal was inaugurated in December 2013 and was designed by Creative Group, an India-based architecture firm.
However, due to capacity constraints and air traffic congestion caused by the military and naval presence, a second airport was proposed at Mopa, located approximately 60km from Dabolim Airport. This airport was completed in December 2022 and became operational in January 2023. Despite the new airport at Mopa, the Goa government has assured the public that Dabolim Airport will remain operational for civilian use. Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho stated that the airport will never be closed and that there will be ample traffic for both Mopa and Dabolim airports.
In April 2025, authorities at Dabolim Airport announced a temporary diversion for passengers entering through the "Welcome Gate" due to ongoing steel erection work at the Terminal Building Extension Area.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the airport will not shut down. It will remain operational for civilian use despite the new airport at Mopa becoming fully operational.
The Dabolim Airport will continue to operate as an international airport serving Panaji, the capital of the state of Goa, India. It will be able to meet the demands of both domestic and international travellers.
The Dabolim Airport was facing capacity constraints at the terminal and air traffic congestion due to the military and naval presence. The new airport at Mopa is located approximately 60 km away from Dabolim Airport and will help handle the growing influx of travellers to Goa.
Yes, the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry announced a plan to upgrade the Dabolim Airport in 2006. The modernisation project included the construction of a new international passenger terminal, additional aircraft stands, a multi-level car parking facility, and additional parking stands for aircraft.
