SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY
shashwat@herald-goa.com
VASCO: Putting to rest all speculations about the fate of Dabolim International Airport, the Indian Navy on Friday assured that it has no plans to cease civilian flights there. The Navy manages the South Goa airport.
“Indian Navy fully recognises the importance of the airport at Dabolim, considering the civil population residing in South Goa. The Indian Navy has no plans to cease civil flying at the airport. We have co-existed so far, despite the complexities of managing both military and civilian aircraft and can continue to do so in the future as well,” Commanding Officer of INS Hansa, Commodore Shiraz Azad told
O Heraldo on Friday.
INS Hansa, which is the largest naval aviation base of the country, manages the military and civilian flights operating out of Dabolim International Airport.
After a number of national and international airlines shifted their flights from Dabolim to Manohar International Airport (MIA), Mopa, in the recent past, there were fears that the former could be closed down for civilian air traffic soon.
When asked whether the commissioning of MIA has helped ease the civilian air traffic at Dabolim, Commodore Azad said, “Before the commissioning of a new airport at Mopa, Dabolim was undertaking 100 civilian aircraft movements per day along with military flying. About 30-40% of civilian aircraft movement has shifted to Mopa since its commissioning. We are a 24/7 airfield. So, while civilian flying has reduced, we can handle more if needed, as was being done earlier.”
He said that on an overage, 30,000 civilian flights operate from Dabolim airport annually. “The civil administration has taken steps to remove open garbage dumps around the air station to reduce the hazard of bird hits. The Navy is also in touch with civil administration to find ways to tackle the dog menace in the airfield. Within the airfield, INS Hansa maintains a team of personnel in the vicinity of the runway to keep the birds and dogs at bay. The ATC permits the take-off and landing of aircraft only after the team indicates a clear runway. These measures have considerably reduced the instances of bird hits,” he said.
Speaking about the new additions in terms of infrastructure to strengthen INS Hansa in the recent past, the senior Navy official said that the airfield facilities have been upgraded with enhanced safety features including instrument landing system and adhering to the latest guidelines on aviation facilities.
"A new airport surveillance radar with Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) capability is being installed at INS Hansa. This will significantly enhance facilitation of safe flying operations,” he informed.