Goa’s newly developed Manohar International Airport, Mopa started its operations on January 5, 2023. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General (Retd.) V K Singh joined the event virtually. The event was held at the airport and marked the first passenger flight arrival and departure at the Manohar International Airport. Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways & Tourism, and Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant were present on this occasion. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the Manohar International Airport, Goa on 11th December 2022.
Addressing virtually, V K Singh congratulated all stakeholders involved for the successful commencement of operations at the Manohar International Airport. He also noted how the new airport will go a long way in boosting economic growth of both the State of Goa and the country.
Shripad Naik, addressing the occasion, said, “Today is a golden day for Goa and for the people of Goa and for me too. Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister at that time and we started work on this airport. All our dreams have been fulfilled today”, noted the Minister. He further stated that the new airport would help tourism and enable Goa to become a hub for exporting perishable goods & create employment opportunities, increase income for locals, and attract visitors from across India.
Dr. Pramod Sawant, Goa Chief Minister mentioned that the Dabolim airport being a Defence airport put limitations on air traffic. He added that with the new airport, Goa is set to be connected to 18 new foreign and 30 new domestic destinations.
Developed at a cost of around Rs 2,870 crores, the airport has been built on the theme of sustainable infrastructure and comprises a solar power plant, green buildings, LED lights on the runway, rainwater harvesting, state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant with recycling facilities, among other such facilities. Initially, phase I of the Airport will cater to around 4.4 million passengers per annum (MPPA), which can be expanded to a saturation capacity of 33 MPPA.
Manohar International Airport, Goa commences operations
