Panaji: Goa on Wednesday welcomed the first international charter flight of the 2026-27 tourism season from Russia, carrying 162 passengers from Yekaterinburg to Dabolim Airport, with charter services from the UK and Kazakhstan expected to commence in the coming weeks.
The arrival marked the beginning of Goa’s international charter season, with the Russian programme being operated through Aeroflot services connecting the coastal state with Yekaterinburg and Moscow.
The programme, supported by Concord Exotic Voyages (India) Pvt Ltd and Minar Group, will initially operate five flights a week, with the frequency expected to increase to nine flights per week from mid-October, according to the state Tourism Department.
The first charter arrival this year came in September, earlier than in recent years when the international charter season generally began in the first or second week of October.
Another charter carrying 285 passengers from Moscow is scheduled to arrive at Dabolim Airport on October 4, officials said.
The Russian arrivals will be followed by the commencement of Goa’s UK charter programme in November.
A Le Passage to India (TUI Group) charter from Manchester, carrying around 285 passengers based on bookings so far, is scheduled to arrive on November 4, followed by another charter from Gatwick.
Charter services from Kazakhstan are also expected to begin in the coming weeks, adding to the international visitor mix during the 2026-27 tourism season.
Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte said the first charter flight marked the beginning of Goa’s international charter season and that the state was looking to strengthen traditional source markets while expanding its international footprint.
“OUR FOCUS IS ON BUILDING GOA AS A BETTER-CONNECTED, RESPONSIBLE AND YEAR-ROUND GLOBAL DESTINATION,” KHAUNTE SAID.
Director of Tourism Kedar A. Naik said international charters remained an important part of Goa’s tourism ecosystem, supporting hotels, tour operators, travel agents, transport providers and other stakeholders.
The Russian passengers received a traditional Goan welcome with flowers and a brass band upon their arrival at the airport.
Sheik Ismail, Senior Vice President of Concord Exotic Voyages, said the response from the Russian market had been encouraging and that the company expected to bring more travellers to Goa during the season.
Goa has traditionally been a popular winter destination for Russian and British tourists, with charter flights playing an important role in its international tourism sector.
