PANAJI
Even as some sections are wary of the Goa government's decision to go ahead with Carnival celebrations despite the Covid-19 pandemic, at least one domestic airline is hoping to cash-in on the famed festival and make the best of the opportunity to cover up the economic damage caused to aviation by the pandemic.
IndiGo Airlines has announced that boarding announcements on all their domestic flights will be made in Konkani and English.
The airline said flyers will also be served special Goan meals like 'Xacuti' on pre-booking and travelling on flights connecting the Dabolim airport from four cities between February 12 and February 17.
The airline is also celebrating the 'Goa carnival' at five airports -- Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad -- between February 7 and 16.
"The celebrations during the Goa Carnival will include local Goan dance at airports and all staff will be dressed in traditional clothing. Boarding announcements will be made in Konkani and English," the airline said in a statement.
Goa government has announced that the traditional float parades will be held in only two cities -- Panaji and Margao -- on February 13 and 14 respectively.
In Panaji, the Corporation of the City of Panaji mayor Uday Madkaikar has also said that the 'Samba Square' festivities will also be conducted along the road adjacent to the Garcia de Orta garden.
Some sections of Goans, meanwhile, are warning the government against holding the celebrations amidst the pandemic as crowding could make it a super spreader of the dreaded Coronavirus.
