Mopa Airport in Goa Marks One-Year Milestone, Sets Expansion Plans in Motion

Mopa Airport in Goa celebrated its first year of operations on Friday and has announced plans for expansion to enhance its passenger handling capacity to 8 million. The airport, Goa's second, initially served domestic routes and later added international flights in July of the previous year. In 2023, Mopa Airport managed 4.2 million passengers, while the older Dabolim Airport in Goa handled 7.4 million passengers. With Dabolim experiencing a decline in traffic, Mopa Airport now constitutes over 36 percent of all traffic to and from the state.

The terminal building at Mopa Airport was originally designed with a shell and core capacity for 8 million passengers annually. However, facilities such as check-in counters, baggage x-ray machines, and baggage handling systems were initially installed to handle 4.4 million passengers as part of the phase I plan. With the surge in traffic, these facilities have been under strain, prompting the airport management to expedite expansion plans.

Expansion efforts are currently underway and are expected to be completed before the commencement of the winter season in 2024.

R V Seshan, the CEO of GMR Goa International Airport, expressed pride in the achievements of the past year, stating, "We are committed to continuous improvements in our operations going forward."

Currently, Mopa Airport manages approximately 100 flights daily, connecting to 29 destinations. The airport is actively collaborating with airlines and stakeholders for slot allocation, especially during preferred morning times. Slot assignments are made based on requests filed by airlines in consultation with relevant stakeholders through slot conferences, as noted by an airport spokesperson.

HBL