Yesterday the HERALD carried a report on the ISO certificate accorded to Goa airport. This news was earlier reported on Goanet on the basis of another paper's story. However, the HERALD had some additional dope which is of interest.
Not only did it mention the 9th rank and the 92% share of charter flights to India, but it added that the airport had 13,052 aircraft operations (presumably in the civilian category) in 2004 ( a 22% increase over the previous year), and a surplus of Rs10.73 cr. Besides it mentions that the airport is equipped to handle 400 domestic passengers, and 300 charter passengers with a provision for parking 6 aircraft, 84 cars and 6 coaches (buses). While this informaton is interesting, it takes us only so far. It would make more sense if we could compare Goa with other airports in India and abroad. Which are the Indian airports in the same category i.e. 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th in traffic rankings? Which of these are growing as fast as or faster than Goa? What is their response? Going by aircraft movements, the airport may only compare with the "commuter airline" (feeder) traffic at smaller U.S. airports. Moreover, parking spaces there are in the hundreds and thousands vs Goa's 84. The HERALD report also talks about plans to spend Rs 4 cr on airport infrastructure. There is mention of negotiations with the Navy and the state govt for 20 acres of additional land. But all this is expected to suffice only for ( a max of ?) 10 years. After that? The pointed question of Mopa was fended off by saying that the state govt was in the best position to answer that.
