Panaji: Limits imposed by bilateral agreements between India and other nations have emerged as a speedbreaker for efforts to bring direct
international flights
to Goa, particularly the
Manohar International Airport
, Mopa.
Bilateral agreements between countries, also known as
air service agreements
(ASA), fix the number of passengers an airline can carry between two countries.
They also list out the cities to which
foreign airlines
are allowed to fly. “A few airlines are very keen as Goa is a part of their strategy, but bilateral agreements could be a hurdle,” said an industry official.
This issue came up for discussion during a meeting between Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s
tourism
& hospitality committee and officials of GMR Goa International Airport Ltd (GGIAL).
India has signed ASAs with 116 countries. However, given the “significant imbalance” in the number of destinations that foreign airlines are allowed to connect in India, Union govt in 2022 stopped issuing approvals to international airlines to fly to non-metro airports in the country.
.
GGIAL officials have said that they are making all efforts to make Goa “a very prominent destination” for all airlines to land at Manohar International Airport.
“Finally, it’s the airline that makes the decision, depending on financial viability. Airlines also look for incentives. Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia offer cheaper and better infrastructure,” a GGIAL official told GCCI.
GCCI had invited GGIAL officials to propose commencement of direct international flights to Goa from Manohar International Airport.
Stakeholders also said that domestic flights find refuelling in Goa expensive as the VAT on
aviation
turbine fuel is higher in Goa than some other states. GGIAL officials said that they would check which airlines are keen to come into Goa, and about the hurdles that they face. The information will then be shared with GCCI so that the industry body could request govt to step in and resolve the challenges.
Outgoing TTAG president Nilesh Shah said that when foreign tourists decline, it adversely impacts the arrival of domestic tourists. “Even if one European carrier comes to Goa, it could be a game-changer for Goa. It need not be a daily flight, it could even be a weekly one,” said Shah.
GGIAL is likely to work with GCCI, TTAG and CII to attract more flights and more tourists to Goa.
English (US) ·