At the Western Region Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference in Mumbai, the Government of Goa unveiled a forward-looking aviation-tourism strategy aimed at transforming the coastal state into a major hub for aviation-led tourism and regional connectivity. The conference, organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India, was a vital platform for Centre–State collaboration and cooperative federalism in India’s fast-growing civil aviation sector.
Leading the Goa delegation, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, under the guidance of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, presented strategic proposals to align Goa’s robust tourism ecosystem with the rapidly evolving aviation landscape. In the presence of key dignitaries such as Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, and MoS Civil Aviation Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Goa positioned itself as a frontrunner in integrating aviation and tourism for sustainable growth.
Shri Khaunte emphasized that “Goa stands ready not just with infrastructure, but with intent,” calling for aviation and tourism to work hand in hand to create jobs, foster regional development, and enhance international visibility. He credited the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and highlighted flagship campaigns like Dekho Apna Desh and Chalo India for revitalizing domestic and inbound tourism.
Goa’s submissions focused on aligning national aviation policies with tourism-centric states’ needs. The state strongly advocated for a tourism-oriented Open Skies policy to enable direct long-haul connectivity, especially to the UK and Europe, and urged its inclusion in future bilateral Air Service Agreement (ASA) negotiations to accommodate wide-body aircraft operations.
To support aviation infrastructure development, Goa requested the Centre to expedite the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility on 26 acres at Manohar International Airport in Mopa and proposed setting up a Flight Training Organization (FTO) to position Goa as a regional aviation skilling hub. Additionally, the state called for a national incentive scheme to ensure commercial viability for long-haul and regional air routes, especially into high-traffic tourist zones.
In terms of connectivity, Goa sought the reinstatement of vital domestic routes like Goa–Dehradun, once operational under the Dekho Apna Desh MoU with Uttarakhand, and proposed new links to Kolhapur, Velankanni, and Tirupati. Embracing innovation, the state pitched for support in developing helicopter services, seaplane operations, and drone-based initiatives under the Drone Didi program. Goa also revealed plans to establish an Aero-Sports and Drone Innovation Hub, with activities such as hot air ballooning, skydiving, drone racing, and microlight aviation.
Taking multimodal tourism to the next level, Goa proposed the development of India’s first integrated air–sea tourism hub, leveraging the close proximity between Dabolim Airport and the Vasco Cruise Terminal. This would position the state as a pioneer in seamless, multimodal tourism infrastructure.
A highlight of Goa’s presentation was its successful Aviation Skill Development Centre (ASDC), which has trained over 1,100 local youth in the last two years with near-total placement offering a scalable model for employment generation and capacity building in the aviation sector.
Goa reaffirmed its strong commitment to cooperative federalism and praised MoCA for fostering an inclusive aviation ecosystem through regional consultations. The state pledged to continue close coordination with the Centre to advance aviation-led tourism, skill development, and regional growth, solidifying its position as a key stakeholder in India’s future-ready aviation landscape.
This strategic roadmap not only aligns with India’s broader tourism and infrastructure goals but also underscores Goa’s readiness to lead by example in integrating tourism with aviation to boost economic development and global outreach.
