Dabolim Airport(GOI) is first international airport in the Indian state of Goa, it is probably better known as Goa International Airport. It is a civil enclave inside the INS Hansa air base of the Indian Navy, which is located in the town of Dabolim. It is roughly 5/3.1 km from Vasco Da Gama and 30 km from Panjim/Panaji, the state capital.
Goa state is split into North and South Goa, with the airport situated on South Goa’s coast, somewhat south of North Goa.
Due to flight restrictions for military flight training, the airport is situated on Navy property, which results in a high concentration of civilian traffic between 1:00 PM and 9.00 PM. Throughout the high peak season, which runs from November to May, a large number of flights operated here are charter flights.
The airport features a single asphalt runway that is 3,430 meters/11,253 feet long.
The passenger terminal, which completed in December 2013, can accommodate five million passengers yearly and manages both domestic and international flights. There are eight customs counters, fourteen security check booths, fifty-five check-in counters, and eight immigration counters—eight for arrivals and twenty-two for departures.
In 2019 and 2020, the airport handled almost 8,000,000 passengers and 2,890,545 in total. The Covid-19 epidemic was the cause of the decline and also effected dabolim airport car rental business.
To overcome this problem and growing demand of tourism in Goa, the new airport has been built in Goa i.e. Manohar International Airport also known as Mopa Airport with the aim of easing the air traffic congestion at Dabolim airport. The new Mopa airport is situated in the state’s Mopa area, around 50 kilometers from Dabolim International Airport.
Facilities on the Airside at Dabolim Airport
Services for Baggage: Passengers are given free luggage trolleys all across the airport. There is also a baggage wrapping machine at the international exit. Better services allow one to travel to and from the airport with ease when carrying bags.
Locations for Dining and Shopping: The Goa airport offers shopping at Peals & Leather Garments and the Handicraft Emporium. A nice selection of Goan souvenirs may be found at the domestic terminal, while the TR store offers some local clothing at the international departure area. At international departures, there are a few snack restaurants and a few vending machines where you can satisfy your hunger. There’s a restaurant outside the domestic terminal as well.
Duty Free Shopping: The airport has a Flemingo duty-free store. Products from all the top brands in the world, such as electronics, tobacco, confections, jewelry, and whiskey & spirits, are available at very affordable prices.
Convenient Self Drive Car options
The airport have many car rental in Goa options available. To hire car rental dabolim airport, use a reputable firm such as Fast Rental Goa. Renting a car close to Dabolim Airport is an extremely affordable alternative, as you can get an SUV for INR 1,500 per day or a mini hackback for just INR 1,000 per day. Car rental at Goa airport is cheap as comparison to hiring a Taxi with driver and you will also get free pickup and drop at airport from self-drive company if you are booking for longer duration.
Linkage between the Goa Airport and the City:
Bus: A number of private buses leave from the area directly outside the airport terminal. These buses connect it to Panjim, Mapusa, Ponda, and Margoa and run every 30 minutes. There are also a few buses that travel to Vasco da Gama, a nearby city. The nearby Chicalim bus stop, which is located approximately 0.93 kilometers from the airport, has a stop.
Rail: The airport’s train station is situated one kilometer away from the terminals. It is connected by the Indian Rail line to Vasco da Gama, which is located about 2 miles from the airport, and Margoa, which is about 45 minutes away.
The Goa Airport Authority oversees all airport operations, ensuring that aircraft depart on schedule, that passengers have better amenities, and that they are safe and secure.
