Goa CM to Restart London-Goa Flight

Panaji, Jul 21 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said he will consult the Civil Aviation ministry on resumption of the Air India flight from Gatwick in London to the state's Manohar International Airport, which was stopped following the horrific June 12 Ahmedabad plane crash.
Sawant was speaking in the assembly after BJP MLA Michael Lobo sought to know when the Air India flight service between Gatwick and Goa will resume.
It was the only flight which was directly bringing Goans from London to the state, Lobo said, adding Sawant should intervene in the matter and take up the issue with Air India and also the Civil Aviation ministry.
"I will consult the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and ensure the flight is resumed as early as possible," the CM said in response.
During the discussion on the floor of the House, Lobo also questioned whether there is feasibility for two airports in Goa, namely the one at Dabolim in the southern part of the state and Manohar International Airport in Mopa in the north.
During the commissioning of Manohar International Airport, assurances were given that the new facility will bring in more connectivity from the places like Abu Dhabi, Germany, Qatar and London but that does not seem to be happening, Lobo claimed.
The CM said the number of flights (domestic and international) arriving in the state has doubled after the commissioning of Manohar International Airport.
"On an average, 50-52 flights used to land and take off from Dabolim Airport. Now a similar number of flights are operating from Manohar International Airport, thereby, doubling the flight arrivals. Though Manohar International Airport is run by a private company, it has brought in revenue of Rs 65.88 crore to the state exchequer since its commissioning," Sawant informed the House.
Manohar International Airport at Mopa commenced domestic commercial operations from January 5, 2023 and international operations started from July 21 that year.
The Monsoon session of the Goa assembly began during the day, and it will culminate on August 8.