VASCO
Goa’s tourist season is set to gain momentum with Dabolim Airport expected to receive around 144 international charter flights between October and March, bringing nearly 25,920 foreign tourists to the state. The first foreign charter flight of the 2026-27 tourist season is scheduled to arrive at Dabolim on September 30. The Aeroflot flight from Russia is expected to carry around 180 passengers, marking the beginning of the seasonal charter movement at the airport. The arrival of charter flights is expected to give a boost to tourism-related activity in Goa, particularly in the hospitality, transport, travel and other sectors that depend heavily on the arrival of international visitors during the peak tourist months. According to information available, Aeroflot is expected to operate around 96 charter flights to Dabolim during the season. The airline is expected to connect Goa with Moscow and Yekaterinburg in Russia, with four charter flights planned every week. The flights are scheduled to operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Apart from Russian tourists, Goa is also expected to receive visitors from Kazakhstan. SCAT Airlines is scheduled to begin its charter operations to Dabolim from October. The airline is expected to operate two flights every week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Around 48 SCAT Airlines charter flights are expected to arrive at Dabolim during the tourist season, adding to the international tourist inflow into Goa. The charter movement is particularly significant for Goa as the October-March period remains a key tourism window for the State. The arrival of thousands of foreign visitors is expected to increase demand for hotels, taxis, tour operators, restaurants, shopping establishments and other tourism-linked businesses.
With the first charter flight scheduled to touch down on September 30, airport authorities and tourism stakeholders are preparing for the arrival of foreign visitors and the start of another busy international tourist season in Goa.
