Can the spiralling fortunes of the Dabolim airport see a revival with the induction of the new airport director? The Dabolim Airport has been facing turbulence ever since the new Manohar International Airport at Mopa took off, with passenger footfalls plummeting drastically and major airlines shifting their loyalties. As Flight Lieutenant Akash Deep assumes charge as the new Airport Director, there is a palpable hope for a strategic turnaround, although the path ahead is challenging.
Dabolim Airport, the primary air gateway to Goa at one time, has seen a sharp decline in passenger and cargo traffic over recent years. The shift of several international airlines, including Qatar Airways and Oman Air, to the newer Mopa International Airport at Mopa has significantly impacted Dabolim’s traffic volumes. Data shows that passenger numbers fell from approximately 8.4 million in 2022-23 to about 7 million in 2023-24—a decline of nearly 17%. International arrivals have halved, and the airport’s international connectivity has taken a major hit.
The Dabolim Airport had its own reasons for this fall from grace. Capacity handling and expansion were major issues, and it was unable to seamlessly adjust to the requirements of some carriers. With Manohar Airport, most of the issues were sorted. It provided better facilities in terms of infrastructure and had a larger capacity. Furthermore, airlines chose Mopa because of lower operational costs, runway options, and lesser overheads. However, the Dabolim Airport has its advantages, the major one being geographically favourable, since it is positioned centrally in the State and provides easy access to tourist hotspots. On any given day, most especially for local tourists or flyers, the Dabolim Airport becomes a more practical option.
Flight Lieutenant Akash Deep’s appointment brings fresh hopes for an airport which has been written off by several members in the Opposition of being walking the path of a ‘Ghost Airport’ . His extensive experience, including leadership roles at Srinagar, Bhopal, and Varanasi airports, positions him well to understand the complexities of regional aviation management. His vision of expanding terminal capacity, improving passenger amenities, and fostering better airline relations would hold the key to the revival plan. The recent infrastructural upgrades in the form of the terminal expansion and opening new lounges are major positives in alignment with plans.
Deep’s emphasis on bringing international flights back to Dabolim is ambitious but plausible. Ambitious, because re-routing airlines back to Dabolim is a tough ask and will require strategic marketing backed by competitive facilities. Ambitious, because the political leadership, despite several reassurances and promises, could do very little for a turnaround. It would be interesting to see how the new director can leverage the existing infrastructure and the geographical edge to get more business, especially when the competition from Mopa is getting fiercer.
Deep will need sustained government support and policy stability, not merely in words, but in action. The challenge would lie in strengthening domestic and charter services, incentivising international carriers to offer a competitive space, and ensuring that Dabolim survives these storms. The key will be resilience, innovation, and a clear focus on passenger convenience.
Here goes a popular saying by Samuel Smiles: Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us. Dabolim finds hope with the confidence that Deep oozes. It remains to be seen if Dabolim can tide over a phase of uncertainty and reclaim its rightful place as a crucial node in Goa’s aviation network.
