Now, get ready to see GOX on your list of airports code as Goa's new Manohar International Airport at Mopa, North Goa, is finally operational.
On Thursday, January 5, 2023, the first commercial flight, IndiGo, landed at the GMR-run airport at around 8.34 am, almost half-an-hour before actual arrival time.
The flight passengers were accorded welcome and handed flowers.
The flight, which arrived from Delhi, took off from Mopa and flew to Hyderabad. This became the first commercial direct flight to land in Goa and the first one to take off from Goa and fly to Hyderabad.
IndiGoa North
The Indigo airlines called this new 'IndiGoa North' and said that they would have 168 weekly flights between Mopa and 8 domestic destinations like Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Jaipur and Ahmedabad right from the start of first day of operations.
Speaking on the occasion, chief executive officer, IndiGo, Pieter Elbers, said, “We are happy to add the Mopa airport to our Goa list. The existing Dabolim Airport will remain active while IndiGo continues its operations at both locations."
DABOLIM AND MOPA AIRPORT TO BE FUNCTIONAL
Elbers added that as there were no sufficient slots for Dabolim, the airline had had to operate from Mopa and also wish to operate from both the airports. "This will provide better connectivity, ease of accessibility and even more options for our customers to one of the most visited tourist destinations of the country," Elbers said.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CARGO
He said, "We are looking to explore and make Goa into a cargo and logistics hub as it is a good opportunity for the neighboring states as well."
CHARTER FLIGHTS
Speaking about getting into Charter flights business, Elbers said that most of the charters come from Britain and Russia and IndiGo too was keen on venturing into this segment.
With the functioning of the new Manohar International Airport at Mopa, tourists and travellers coming to Goa can get easy access and connectivity to tourist places such as Chapora, Arambol, Anjuna, Vagator, Candolim Sinquerim, etc.