Sign in

Goa airport logs its highest flight traffic on Jan 1: AAI

AAI, which handles the passenger terminal of the Goa International Airport in Dabolim, said the airport beat its previous record of 102 flights it clocked on January 2 last year

Published on: Jan 3, 2023, 00:35:28 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
Copy link
  • copy link

Panaji: Goa’s Dabolim airport handled a record 104 flights over a 24-hour period on January 1 owing to the rush of tourists and others who visited the coastal state to celebrate Christmas and New Year, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said.

Goa’s Dabolim airport handled a record 104 flights over a 24-hour period on January 1 owing to the rush of tourists and others who visited the coastal state to celebrate Christmas and New Year. (File)
Goa’s Dabolim airport handled a record 104 flights over a 24-hour period on January 1 owing to the rush of tourists and others who visited the coastal state to celebrate Christmas and New Year. (File)

AAI, which handles the passenger terminal of the Goa International Airport in Dabolim, said the airport beat its previous record of 102 flights it clocked on January 2 last year. To be sure 104 flights include 104 arrivals and as many departures.

“On 01st January 2023, Goa International Airport handled 104 arrivals and 104 departures with 13,147 Arrival Pax and 17,335 Departure Pax,” the AAI said.

On Monday, the figure is expected to return to 95 two-way flights, including those ferrying domestic and international passengers. According to officials, the Dabolim airport on an average handles 85 to 95 two-way flights in a day.

Tourism in Goa peaks during the last week of the year, when thousands of tourists from across the country and abroad flock the coastal state to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

“We strive to ensure a hassle-free transit experience for our esteemed guests at the airport,” the AAI said.

Flights to and from Goa witnessed huge demand over the last weekend with prices soaring up to four times the “normal” airfare, said an official.

Later this week, the Manohar International Airport (MIA) in North Goa, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 11 last year, will begin domestic operations and is likely to ease the passenger load at the Dabolim airport.

  • Gerard de Souza
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Gerard de Souza

    Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.Read More