VASCO
Congress leader Elvis Gomes hit out at the State government after Qatar Airways decided to cease operations from Dabolim Airport and shift to Mopa Airport.
Speaking to reporters at Dabolim airport, Gomes said there had been pressure on Qatar Airways to move out of Goa International Airport at Dabolim and shift operations to Manohar International Airport at Mopa.
“I had said the government is out to destroy Dabolim Airport by putting pressure on airlines operators but some ministers accused us of creating fear among people and they had insisted that no operator would move out because infrastructure at the airport is being expanded,” said Gomes.
“I had warned then that Air India, which operates from Dabolim to Gatwick airport would be shifting from Dabolim to Mopa, causing tremendous inconvenience to people from South Goa. The government kept denying and finally Air India shifted operations to Mopa Airport.”
“Slowly as time passed, Oman Airways also moved from Dabolim to Mopa and this has not happened because they wanted to so but it was only because of tremendous pressure put on them.”
“Dabolim is a public sector airport while Mopa is a private sector airport and the government is stressing more for the benefit of the private sector. Now, Qatar Airways Airways has also fallen prey to this tactic and announced its operations from Mopa Airport. I had even written to the MD of Qatar Airways not to shift operations from Dabolim Airport,” said Gomes.
Gomes said the shifting of airlines operators from Dabolim to Mopa would affect various stakeholders.
