Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday informed the Goa Legislative Assembly that photography by air passengers is now permitted at terminal buildings of civil aerodromes across the country, including Goa’s Manohar International Airport.
However, restrictions continue at defence airports such as Goa International Airport at Dabolim, he added.
Responding to a Calling Attention motion raised by Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira regarding confusion over the prohibition of photography at Goa’s both the airports, Sawant said that earlier restrictions imposed on photography at airport terminals and from inside aircraft have been revised.
“These restrictions have now been removed. Photography by passengers of scheduled flights in terminal buildings of civil aerodromes and civil enclaves of defence aerodromes is now allowed,” he stated.
However, he clarified that photography and videography from inside an aircraft, particularly at defence airports (Dabolim Airport), remain prohibited under directives issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The DGCA has also mandated that window shades be kept closed below 10,000 feet during take-off and landing at defence airports to prevent inadvertent capture of sensitive installations, he said.
These restrictions are particularly stringent at airports near the western border, including Dabolim (Goa), Leh, Srinagar, and Jammu, the chief minister added.
Sawant said that the Airlines have been instructed to inform passengers of these restrictions via announcements and visible signage.
“The prohibition aims to safeguard national security by preventing any potential capture of sensitive military operations or infrastructure,” he added.
