PERNEM: Domestic operations are set to commence at the Manohar International Airport at Mopa from Thursday with IndiGo aircraft from Hyderabad-Goa to be the first flight to arrive at 9 am.
The GMR Goa International Airport Limited, which will operate the new airport, expects as many as 11 landings on first day of operation. Cities to be covered are Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune. However, the operator could not provide details of flight departures.
Domestic airlines such as IndiGo, Go First, Vistara and Akasa Air have started setting up ticketing counters at the new airport, which was inaugurated on December 11 last and was awaiting commercial operations due to availability of taxi services.
When contacted, GMR Goa International Airport Limited, Lead–Corporate Communication Vikram Singh Tanwer said that they are fully prepared to commence operations from Thursday.
“From our side we are prepared and whatever outside is for the government to decide,” he said when asked whether there will be adequate mode of transport for the passengers.
With the taxi operators at loggerheads with the government demanding counter for Yellow and Black taxis at the new airport, the government has decided to introduce both the taxi aggregators i.e. GoaMiles and State-owned Goa Taxi app with taxi operators besides, KTC announcing that it will operate six air-conditioned electric buses to take care of passengers’ requirements.
According to Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, GoaMiles has arranged over 400 taxis at Mopa airport while, Goa Taxi App has so far registered over 50 taxis.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for MSME Narayan Rane on Wednesday virtually inaugurated an India-made Intelligent Tray Retrieval System (ITRS) at Manohar International Airport. The ITRS is an artificial intelligence based fully automatic machine that helps in providing enhanced passenger security with advanced screening technology.
