Goa airport upgradation to disrupt flights, inconvenience flyers: FIA
Private airlines have voiced objections to the proposed partial shutdown of Goa International Airport for 45 days to facilitate the upgrade of its runway. The state’s only airport, located in Dabolim, is part of Naval airbase INS Hansa and remains closed to commercial flights between 8.30 am and 1 pm everyday for use by the Navy.
With the defence ministry planning to re-carpet the runway from April 1 and resurface the central areas from April 15, the airport will be open to commercial and Naval flights between 5 am and 1 pm till May 31.
While the timing initially had been from 5 am to 11 am, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has proposed to extend operations by two hours till 1 pm after defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s intervention, but a decision is yet to be taken.
The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) says this will force air operators to reschedule their flights to Goa or club them with other destinations. The airlines federation has written to the civil aviation ministry to postpone the upgradation, claiming the runway closure will result in numerous flight cancellations and will affect a large number of passengers.
“Runway closures need to be confirmed at least 120 days in advance so as to give adequate notice to all stakeholders to work out alternate plans. The available infrastructure at Goa Airport will not suffice for all operations between 5am and 1 pm and will cause safety hazards,” Ujjwal Dey, associate director, FIA said.
“We are aware of the change in the airport operation timings. We have submitted our request to the relevant authorities. We are waiting for the allocation of revised slots. Once we get the new slots confirmed, we will publish our revised schedule,” aspokesperson for Vistara Airlines said.
However, Goa Airport officials said the runway closure had been discussed with airlines and that prior intimation had been given. The runway closure, which had originally been scheduled for October, was postponed to March and then to April as the tourist season begins from October.
With the defence ministry planning to re-carpet the runway from April 1 and resurface the central areas from April 15, the airport will be open to commercial and Naval flights between 5 am and 1 pm till May 31.
While the timing initially had been from 5 am to 11 am, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has proposed to extend operations by two hours till 1 pm after defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s intervention, but a decision is yet to be taken.
A senior officer with the Naval Aviation wing said Navy and Coast Guard aircraft will be stationed at Pune, Belgaum and other airfields for two months starting April 15.
The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) says this will force air operators to reschedule their flights to Goa or club them with other destinations. The airlines federation has written to the civil aviation ministry to postpone the upgradation, claiming the runway closure will result in numerous flight cancellations and will affect a large number of passengers.
“Runway closures need to be confirmed at least 120 days in advance so as to give adequate notice to all stakeholders to work out alternate plans. The available infrastructure at Goa Airport will not suffice for all operations between 5am and 1 pm and will cause safety hazards,” Ujjwal Dey, associate director, FIA said.
“We are aware of the change in the airport operation timings. We have submitted our request to the relevant authorities. We are waiting for the allocation of revised slots. Once we get the new slots confirmed, we will publish our revised schedule,” aspokesperson for Vistara Airlines said.
However, Goa Airport officials said the runway closure had been discussed with airlines and that prior intimation had been given. The runway closure, which had originally been scheduled for October, was postponed to March and then to April as the tourist season begins from October.
