Goa has had direct flights to the Middle East “ Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Oman“ for a long time now. But Malaysia-based budget carrier Air Asia was the first airline to directly connect Goa to the SEAC (South East Asian countries) and the Asia Pacific region last September. Llaunched its tri-weekly direct flight between Goa and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with much fanfare, however, the airline decided to suspend the route (effective June 7, 2016) citing rationalisation initiatives.
Prior to Air Asia's Goa-KL flight, any Goan looking to travel to any part of South East Asia beyond had to fly to either Mumbai or Bengaluru, and then take a connecting flight to their final destination. This was seriously time-consuming and cost a lot more money, thus discouraging Goans from making travel or vacation plans for entire families.
The launch of the new direct flight, however, saw Goans thronging to Malaysia and other parts of the Asia Pacific region on the spur of the moment, simply because it was available, easy and fit the budget of a middle class traveller.
Even connecting flight to Australia, New York, etc via Singapore and Doha respectively, cost less than half the amount of money than it did to fly to the same locations from Mumbai.
Now the Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha who will be in Goa to attend the 8th BRICS summit being held here next month from October 15-16 is proposing to boost tourism between Goa and Thailand and fill the gap left by Air Asia with a direct Thai Airways flight service from Goa to Thailand at least once a week.
But will this new route truly stimulate tourism at both destinations? Or will this too fizzle out after a short while like Air Asia's ambitious plans?
QUOTES
Direct flights are always convenient and easy to travel. They are point to point travel so there is less hassle when one is on leisure travel, especially with family. That being said, point to point flights are also most cost effective. Also, I believe that direct connections like the earlier Goa to Kuala Lumpur or the soon to commence, Goa to Thailand benefit not just the commuter, but the operators as well.
Savio Roy Agnel D'Souza, Nachinola
