PANJIM: Qatar Airways will cease operations at Dabolim International Airport from June 20 this year, and move its operations to the new Mopa international airport.
The operations at Dabolim will cease with its last departure from Hamad International Airport (DOH) to Dabolim airport being June 19, 2024 and its last departure from Dabolim to DOH being June 20.
Announcing this on its X handle, the company said, “#QatarAirways is moving operations in #Goa from Dabolim Airport to the new Manohar International Airport in North Goa, effective 20 June 2024:
This route will be served with the same schedule of a direct daily flight operated on a mix of Airbus 320 and Boeing 787.
Qatar Airways is joining a list of airlines ready to be served by GOX, including strategic partners IndiGo and Oman Air. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, and close proximity to hotels and public transportation, the new airport is set to deliver an enhanced passenger experience, the airlines said in a press release.
Qatar Airways first launched its operations in Goa in 2009, marking the start of the long-standing partnership between Doha and Goa.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have warned that they will not allow to shut Dabolim airport for civilians.
The Congress alleged that doubled standard BJP has started showing its colour by hatching conspiracy to shut Dabolim airport for civilians. This development will kill economy of South Goa.
The Congress will agitate and support the people of South Goa to retain Dabolimairport, which is income source for poor and middle class people.
The Goa Forward Party (GFP) said that one by one, both domestic and international airlines are packing their bags and shifting to Mopa. The growing concern of South Goa passengers is real and justified, it said demanding that the Chief Minister must clarify why airlines are abandoning Dabolim despite his word to the people of Goa that he won’t allow it to happen.
GOX’s expansive airport experience is designed to reflect the exuberant nature of the local culture with its blend of contemporary and Goan architecture. Its cargo facilities, comprising of 25,000 metric tonnes of temperature-controlled handling capacity, has the potential to make GOX the ideal export hub in the region.
Currently, Qatar Airways flies to 13 destinations in India including: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Thiruvananthapuram.
