Mopa Airport

Goa has a new airport. The Manohar International Airport is located in the village of Mopa in Pernem taluka of North Goa. The closest popular beach to this airport is Arambol, which is 26.6 kilometers away. Baga is 30.2 kilometers away and can be reached in around 40 minutes. The Mopa airport was inaugurated on December 11th 2022 and flight operations started on January 5th 2023.

Mopa Airport

Goa needed a new place because the existing airport at Dabolim is also a military airfield. It is owned by the Indian Navy and thus, both the military and civilian crafts have to share a common runway. Also, the huge number of flights taking off and landing at Dabolim caused a serious air congestion problem. The terminal is also congested.

The airport at Dabolim will remain operational despite Goa having a new airport. This is great news for passengers as it will ease the congestion problem. Tourists can also decide where to land and fly from, depending on whether they are visiting North or South Goa. Mopa Airport is closer for those visiting the North Goa beaches – Anjuna, Morjim, Vagator, Arambol, Mandrem, and even Baga. The Old Dabolim Airport is closer to the South Goa beaches – Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim, Agonda, and Palolem. The cities of Panaji and Vasco are also closer to Dabolim.

“The Mopa Airport is named after Manohar Parrikar, a former Chief Minister of Goa and Defense Minister of India”.

The airport is operational but not yet fully functional. Continuous expansions are planned to handle more cargo, commercial and passengers. Improved conveniences and services will be offered over time.

• Presently, it can serve 4.4 million passengers every year.
• After the 2nd phase, the airport will handle 5.8 million passengers.
• After the 3rd phase, it will serve 9.4 million passengers annually.
• The 4th phase will be completed in 2045. It will then be able to handle 13.1 million passengers every year.

Mopa Airport – Quick Facts

• The new Manohar International Airport is located in the Mopa village in Pernem taluka of North Goa
• It is the 2nd international airport of Goa. The two districts now both have an airport. South Goa – Dabolim, North Goa — Mopa
• Airport Code IATA: GOX and ICAO: VOGA.
• It is also known as Mopa International Airport or MIA
• It has been built on the theme of sustainable infrastructure. The airport has green buildings, a solar power plant, rainwater harvesting, recycling facilities, and a sewage treatment plant.
• The airport will be able to handle 4.4 million passengers every year in the first phase. It will be gradually increased to 13.1 million by 2045.
• IndiGo will operate 168 flights weekly to Pune, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur. Go Air plans to schedule 42 flights. Akasa Air has flights to Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
• There are international flights from the airport to many cities like Moscow–Sheremetyevo, Yekaterinburg, London–Gatwick, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Manchester.

Distance From Major Places in Goa

• Arambol – 26.6 kilometers
• Mandrem – 26.7 kilometers
• Ashwem – 30.6 kilometers
• Morjim – 27.9 kilometers
• Vagator – 27.4 kilometers
• Anjuna – 28.9 kilometers
• Baga – 30.2 kilometers
• Calangute – 29.8 kilometers
• Candolim – 32.5 kilometers
• Panaji – 34.8 kilometers
• Old Goa – 41.4 kilometers
• Dabolim Airport – 55.9 kilometers

Facilities at the Airport

At this time, the Manohar International Airport has a single 700,000 square feet terminal building.

• In peak hours, it can handle around 1000 outbound and inbound passengers every hour.
• It has 3 entry gates.
• Many shops and dining options.
• Dedicated self-check in and bag drop areas.
• Automatic Tray Retrieval System (ATRS).
• Cargo terminal and ancillary facilities for processing and storage
• Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting facilities
• Encalm Lounge
• Air conditioned buses to and from the airport to Margao, Panaji, Mapusa and Sinquerim.