PANAJI
Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sadanand Shet Tanavade has called for immediate restoration of Air India’s direct flight between Goa’s Manohar International Airport at Mopa (GOX) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW), raising the matter during the Zero Hour in Parliament on Tuesday.
The appeal comes after Air India temporarily suspended the Goa“London Gatwick route, along with Bengaluru“Singapore and Pune“Singapore services, till the end of September.
The non-stop Goa“London flight (AI 145/146), launched on July 21, 2023, was the first regular international route from Mopa, operating thrice weekly.
Tanavade informed the House that it served as a vital link for thousands of Goans in the UK including students, professionals, senior citizens and families, by removing the need for costly and time-consuming stopovers.
“Since June 21, this year, this crucial service has been suspended due to operational adjustments following the Air India Flight 171 incident. While safety is paramount, the prolonged suspension, now over a month, has caused severe inconvenience and hardship to the Goan community and other travellers, forcing them to take expensive, multi-stop journeys,” Tanavade said.
He stressed that Goa’s ties with the UK go beyond tourism, encompassing strong cultural, economic and diaspora links.
“The direct flight is more than a convenience. It is a lifeline that strengthens family bonds, promotes economic exchange, and supports both outbound and inbound tourism. I urge the Union Government to take immediate steps to resume the Air India Goa“London Gatwick service at the earliest,” he added.
