It's time Goa got a better airport

It needs no expert to tell you that the Dabolim airport in Goa is probably one of the worst in India; this despite Goa being one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
Every year, Goa has an estimated 700-odd flights landing at its below-par airport, which accounts for 90% of India's charter flights. The charters mainly come in from the UK and from Russia. Besides, there are so many domestic tourists flying into Goa, thanks to the state's pristine beaches and unique culture.
In fact, Dabolim airport is among a dozen airports which return profits to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and yet it has been meted step-motherly treatment in the garb of jurisdiction. Both the Indian Navy, which controls the usage of land at the airport, and the AAI, which runs the airport, are arms of the central government. It is no secret that government agencies just can't seem to cope with any development plans. Each time there are discussions on need for improvement, they will come out with reasons why they can't do it.
The fact that Dabolim is connected to only eight Indian airports is in itself a reflection of the poor priorities of the AAI and the navy. And even here, the connectivity is not exactly desirable because of the restrictions in timings of use of the airport. In 2000, the Goa government came up with a plan to build a greenfield airport at Mopa in North Goa. By mid-2005, the issue became too hot to handle for the state government with opposition from people.
07/02/11 Economic Times

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Categories: Airports Feb 2011, New Feb 2011