Goa: Navy agrees to withdraw notification on Dabolim Airport runway

The Indian Navy on Thursday agreed to facilitate all scheduled and charter flights to operate without any restrictions on weekends at the Dabolim Airport, Goa, following its talks with the state government.

After due deliberations, the navy agreed that Dabolim Airport is the only aerodrome in the state, which operates as a civil enclave in a military airbase named 'INS Hansa'.

Earlier, the Indian Navy issued a notification to the Goa Government on the partial closure of the airport runway for maintenance on weekends.

In a meeting held between the Indian Navy and all other stakeholders, to finalise the flight schedules at Dabolim, comprehensive discussions were made on the need to permit civil flights to operate in forenoon hours on the weekends, given the increased tourist inflows into Goa.

The aspects of maintenance of runway and flight decongestion were also discussed in the meeting.

The Indian Navy, however, brought out that runway maintenance is mandatory and it will be undertaken in close coordination with all the stakeholders.

The meeting here was co-chaired by Mauvin Godinho, the Panchayat Minister, representing the Goa Government and R. Adm. Puneet K. Bahl, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area at INS Hansa with representatives of the navy, the AAI, the Goa Government, tour operators, airlines, charter operators and others.

The step was warmly welcomed by Gudhino as well as all other stakeholders, who brought out that the positive response would benefit the Goan tourism.