Parliament Question: International tourist footfall and passenger traffic in Goa airports

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1782 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th March 2026 INTERNATIONAL TOURIST FOOTFALL AND PASSENGER TRAFFIC IN GOA AIRPORTS 1782. SHRI SADANAND MHALU SHET TANAVADE Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the initiatives undertaken by Government to increase international tourist arrivals in Goa, including efforts to enhance air-connectivity and promote tourism; (b) the year-wise data on international tourist footfall at Dabolim-Airport(GOI) and Manohar- International-Airport-Mopa(GOX), from January, 2024 to January, 2026; (c) whether Government has observed any trends in international tourist arrivals at both airports during this period and their impact on tourism revenue, local employment and the overall economy of Goa, if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether Government proposes to introduce new international routes or incentivize airlines to operate additional flights to further increase tourist footfall at Dabolim- Airport(GOI) and Manohar-International-Airport-Mopa(GOX), if so, the details thereof? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (d): The year-wise international passenger footfall at airports in Goa is as follows: Year Dabolim MOPA Airport (GOI) Airport (GOX) 2024 3,02,130 2,46,319 2025 2,06,046 3,89,988 2026 24,174 62,317 (upto Jan'26) The international operations of airlines are governed by bilateral Air Services Agreements (ASAs) between India and the respective countries. Goa is available as a point of call for various countries. Goa has also been included among the 18 tourist destinations in India from where Indian carriers, as well as carriers from ASEAN and SAARC countries (excluding Pakistan and Afghanistan), are permitted to operate unlimited air services. The Government provides an enabling environment for growth of the civil aviation sector but does not interfere in the operational plans of the airlines. However, the start of direct international flights from any point in India is purely a commercial decision of scheduled airlines on the basis ofpassenger demand, availability of slots, economic viability of the route and other associated factors. ******