The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the setting up of a new greenfield international airport at Mopa in Goa but also approved the continuation of commercial operations at the existing Dabolim Civil Enclave Airport even after the Mopa airport becomes operational.
The government announced that the Mopa airport would be constructed by the Goa government on a “Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis”. But private participation will be sought in operating the airport. “A private entity will be selected through a global tendering process,” the government stated. The Mopa airport will have the status of an “International Airport”.
By permitting continuation of the Dabolim airport, the government over-turned a 10-year-old (earlier) decision to close the Dabolim airport once the Mopa airport becomes operational. This means that Goa will now have two airports serving it once the Mopa airport becomes operational. Goa is a popular tourist destinations world-wide.
“Continuation of Dabolim airport at Goa will facilitate the State to meet the requirement of increased inflow of air traffic more efficiently as well as for the balanced development of all parts of the state,” the government stated.