The passenger traffic at Goa’s Mopa Airport, which commenced operations in 2022, has been witnessing a significant surge, while Dabolim Airport has reported a decline in passenger numbers.
The sharp increase in international travelers at Mopa, coupled with a notable drop at Dabolim, has sparked debate over whether Goa's tourism industry has actually expanded or if passengers have merely shifted between the two airports.
According to the Economic Survey report and responses in the Legislative Assembly, the number of international passengers at Dabolim Airport dropped from 4,81,913 in 2023 to 3,02,130 in 2024.
Conversely, international traffic at Mopa Airport saw a sharp rise, increasing from 13,845 in 2023 to 1,01,804 in 2024.
This shift suggests that rather than a net increase in international tourists, many travelers have simply migrated from Dabolim to Mopa.
The claim that Mopa Airport has fueled substantial tourism growth in Goa has been met with skepticism from opposition figures, who argue that the statistics primarily reflect a redistribution of travelers rather than an influx of new visitors.
While the rise in domestic passenger numbers at Mopa is evident growing from 15,63,130 in 2023 to 22,44,497 in 2024 . Dabolim recorded a slight decline, from 69,55,313 in 2023 to 67,41,415 in 2024.
In January 2025 alone, Mopa handled 3,62,600 domestic and 50,319 international passengers, whereas Dabolim recorded 6,86,149 domestic and 24,612 international passengers.
This reinforces the pattern of declining numbers at Dabolim while Mopa continues to attract more travelers.
The data highlights a clear shift in passenger preference towards Mopa Airport, particularly among international travelers.
However, the overall tourism growth in Goa remains debatable, with figures indicating that a significant portion of passengers may have simply transitioned from one airport to another rather than contributing to an actual increase in tourist arrivals.
Industry experts and policymakers are closely monitoring these trends to assess the long-term impact on Goa’s tourism economy.