VASCO: Considering the passenger growth particularly in the domestic segment, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is moving closer to carry out Rs 240 crore worth expansion of the new terminal building at Goa International Airport. The groundwork for expansion has already commenced as AAI recently issued tenders for the appointment of project management consultant, said Airport director B C H Negi.
He was speaking to reporters after formally launching of radio station (Goa airport radio) at Goa airport in association with Indigo 91.9 FM. This is the first of its kind facility at any of the AAI airports. Through the tie-up, Indigo 91.9FM will play specially curated music for the passengers at the airport. In addition, Goa Airport Radio would have its exclusive Jockey who would enthral the passengers by interacting with them, announcing the utility and flight-related information together with playing passengers’ favourite music.
“We have plans to extend the terminal building because we have already crossed the designed capacity which was five million passengers whereas AAI is handling seven million passengers in the new terminal building. Also domestic traffic is growing at the rate of 15 to 20 percent every year and keeping that in mind we decided to increase our domestic passengers handling capacity by way of carrying out extension to the existing terminal building. The extension works would cost about Rs 240 crore and within next few years the same will be completed” Negi said.
He said, “In the new extended portion of the terminal building, we are planning to handle around additional 15 lakh passengers. The extension will be similar to what we have now at the new terminal building. With extension we will be adding more domestic capacity because the domestic traffic has increased whereas international traffic is almost more or less”.
“We have already started the demolition of old terminal building to make way for three additional parking bays for the aircraft plus with the extension of terminal building we will be able to accept more aircrafts at a time. Presently, during this winter season we are handling 80 flights per day including 5 charters and 75 domestic flights. The way the aviation industry is growing we expect to handle more flights. We may handle around 100 flights if all goes well,” he informed.
