Panaji: Transport minister and Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday hit out at GMR Goa International Airport Limited for using “its influence to shift airlines from Dabolim airport to Manohar airport at Mopa”. But Godinho said more airlines will move to Dabolim soon and govt wants both airports to coexist.
“GMR uses a lot of influence to shift flights from Dabolim.Being a private player, they should not forget that Goa also has equity in the airport,” Godinho said. “Goa govt has also invested in Mopa airport. Govt wants both airports to coexist in a healthy manner so there is traffic for both. They should draw traffic from new destinations.” Godinho added, “My interactions with central authorities also indicated that efforts are being made to divert flights to Mopa.”
He went on to say, “Being a private player, they engage in a lot of lobbying, which is not fair to Goa.”
He also said, “Over the past couple of months, especially last month, some flights have been operated by Indigo from Bengaluru to Goa mostly from Dabolim.” Four additional flights are being operated from Dabolim, he said, adding that the airport is convenient for South Goa’s people.
“From the very start, our govt had told the authorities running the private airport, including GMR, to please look for new places to be explored,” Godinho said. “You operate on routes that are not serviced. Don’t move airlines from Dabolim to Mopa. They have started doing so, and that is not fair.”
Godinho said he opposed such actions. “You cannot cannibalise what exists. You cannot snatch flights away from Dabolim,” he said. “I have also suggested to the civil aviation minister that Dabolim airport continue to run as a private operator. I will follow up on that matter during a personal visit.”
On charges, Godinho said, “If they are giving some concessions, you also, as a govt authority, learn to be like a private player and offer more concessions.” He added, “Parking charges should be lower, as should be the charges levied on aircraft. So, the rates should be attractive, and that is going to happen.”
He said the Navy has told him emphatically that it does not need full control of Dabolim airport.
“Navy is ready to operate as it is doing currently. In fact, it has given us more slots. I am privy to something I cannot reveal, but all I can say is that the Navy is also moving operations to Karwar in a big way,” Godinho said. “So why will it want to expand here to the detriment of the local public or the civilian population?”
The Navy is cooperative, the Dabolim MLA said. “I want to thank the Navy which said both of us will coexist happily,” he said. “I met top officials in Delhi, and they clearly said they don’t need this airport.”
Godinho said civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu recognises that Dabolim airport is one of the prestigious possessions of the Airports Authority of India. “Dabolim airport is being expanded. The Union minister said much money is being spent on the airport, so it won’t be shut down,” Godinho said. He added that the Union minister will take steps based on technical studies on both airports to ensure “clear signals are sent about Dabolim airport never closing”.