PANJIM: With revival of international air travel to set to bring in holidayers from Goa’s major markets – Russia and UK, Goa government’s scheme relaxing landing charges of charter flights could further boost arrivals this season.
The government has notified a scheme called ‘International Charter Support (Waiver of Landing Fees) Scheme, 2021’ to provide relaxation in landing charges of international charters to Goa in order to attract higher number of charters and benefit overall Goa tourism industry.
The scheme, that would provide benefit up to Rs 1 lakh per charter flight, will be in force for charter operators on first come first serve basis from October 2021 to March 2022.
“There has been a declining trend of international charters visiting the State over the last 5 years. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major negative impact on the tourist movement worldwide, leading to reduction in international charters too. It is observed that the declining trend in charters is due to global economic situation, global travel restrictions, downfall of major charter operators and partially increase in direct flights to Goa,” the notification states.
As per the scheme, part of landing charges of international charters at Goa International Airport, Dabolim, will be borne by the government with an intention to encourage and reduce the burden on cost of operation of international chartered flights landing in Goa. The eligibility criteria to avail the scheme includes international charters landing in Goa, scheduled international charters and business/corporate charters with a minimum of 100 passengers aircraft configuration, excluding airline crew.
International charters to Goa, paying the landing charges to the Indian Navy, Dabolim Airport are eligible for the scheme. The Department of Tourism, Goa will provide reimbursement to the charters up to maximum of Rs 1 lakh per international charter flight on landing charges excluding GST at Dabolim Airport, Goa. “The scheme is applicable on first come first serve basis as per the application received by Department of Tourism from charters, until the budget is exhausted,” the notification said.
