Panaji: Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday reiterated that the Dabolim Airport, which is a part of the Indian Navy’s base, will not be shut down, due to commissioning of Manohar International Airport (MIA) in North Goa.
The issue was raised on the floor of the House on Monday by Independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, who alleged that GMR company officials were pressuring the Indian Navy to take full control of the Dabolim Airport.
The MLA said that the number of flights at Dabolim has been decreasing after commissioning of the MIA.
Participating in the discussion, Sawant said that there has been decision taken in the central cabinet that Dabolim airport (located in South Goa) would continue operating even after commissioning of the MIA.
Sawant reiterated that the Dabolim Airport will continue functioning even in the future.
He said that the state government has entered into agreement with GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) wherein Goa will get 37 per cent of gross revenue earned from May 2024 onwards.
Other MLAs including Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Alemao said that the Dabolim Airport would be turned into “ghost airport” to help the MIA.
He points out that the domestic flights at Dabolim Airport declined from 5095 flights in January 2023 to 3510 flights in December 2023.
Alemao said that there is 31 per cent decline in the international flights declined from 372 flights in January 2023 to 259 flights in December 2023.
