Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk
The Airports Authority of India, Dabolim Airport, in association with Travel Food Services Limited, organised a Christmas celebration at the Travel Club Lounge at Dabolim Airport, Goa, on December 23, 2025, marking the festive season with warmth and joy while enhancing the overall passenger experience.
The celebration featured a delightful blend of culinary indulgence and festive activities. Passengers and guests were treated to a special Christmas masterclass showcasing the preparation of Crepes Suzette with Orange Sauce, highlighting culinary expertise and service excellence. Adding to the festive charm, children participated in a hands-on cookie decoration activity, while a Santa entourage spread cheer and excitement throughout the lounge area.
Extending the spirit of Christmas beyond the lounge, muffins were distributed to children across the airport terminal, ensuring young travellers also shared in the festive joy. The initiative brought smiles to passengers and families alike, creating a lively and welcoming ambience throughout the airport.
The Christmas celebration reflected the joint commitment of Airports Authority of India and Travel Food Services Limited to curate engaging and culturally relevant festive experiences within the airport environment. By integrating hospitality, culinary engagement and thoughtful festive gestures into the passenger journey, Dabolim Airport continues to strengthen its position as a customer-centric and experience-driven aviation hub.
Flt Lt Akash Deep, Airport Director, along with senior officials from the Airports Authority of India, CISF, airline representatives and other stakeholders, were present during the celebrations.
Goa | December 15, 2025: Passengers travelling through Goa International Airport (GOI) experienced multiple flight delays on Monday, December 15, 2025. Airport authorities issued a passenger advisory confirming revised arrival and departure timings for several domestic flights operated by IndiGo and Air India Express.
According to the advisory, IndiGo flight 6E211 operating from Goa (GOI) to Raipur (RPR) has been delayed, with the revised time of departure scheduled at 13:10 hours.
Air India Express flights were also impacted. Flight IX 1108 from Delhi to Goa is now expected to arrive at 11:45 hours, while IX 1109 from Goa to Delhi has a revised departure time of 12:15 hours.
Further delays were reported for Air India Express services later in the day. Flight IX 1339 from Delhi to Goa is scheduled to arrive at 18:10 hours, and IX 1340 from Goa to Delhi will now depart at 18:40 hours.
Airport officials confirmed that a total of 39 flights were scheduled to operate from GOI on December 15, 2025. However, four IndiGo flights were cancelled during the day.
Passengers have been advised to check directly with their respective airlines for the latest updates and to plan their travel accordingly. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and issue timely advisories to ensure passenger convenience and safety.
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk
In response to the operational crisis faced by Indigo Airlines, the Airports Authority of India, in coordination with all stakeholders, implemented a series of proactive measures to ensure smooth and uninterrupted airport operations. Extensive manpower was deployed across all passenger touchpoints including check-in, pre-security hold areas, boarding gates, and city-side zones to prevent congestion and ensure seamless queue management. Airport Operators provided additional check-in counters, while both airlines and airport teams strengthened staff presence to guide and support passengers.
To ensure a smooth flow of city-side operations, AAI coordinated closely with CISF, Goa Police, and the Traffic Police for crowd management around the Indigo ticketing counter. Extra ticketing counters were allotted for passenger convenience, and traffic authorities ensured lane discipline. CISF Quick Response Teams and Goa Police maintained surveillance to avoid any untoward incidents, while digibuddies assisted passengers at entry gates and additional CISF personnel facilitated faster terminal access. Seating availability, trolley retrieval, kids’ zone facilities, and swing operations were maintained for passenger comfort.
Monitoring of the terminal was strengthened through senior-level committees conducting frequent checks to ensure service delivery and a high standard of cleanliness. All washrooms, including city-side facilities, were fully manned with adequate consumables, and housekeeping teams maintained continuous cleaning cycles. First-aid facilities, wheelchairs, baby-care amenities including kettles, water, napkins, and diapers were ensured without interruption. The “May I Help You” counters were reinforced, with staff deployed at key passenger interaction points such as check-in and the security hold area. The Flybrary at the SHA was updated with reading materials, and concessions ensured the availability of refreshments, milk, and diabetic dietary options. Priority assistance was extended to wheelchair users, PRMs, seniors, pregnant women, and mothers with infants.
Information dissemination was strengthened through real-time updates in coordination with airlines. Flight Information Display Systems operated smoothly, and social-media platforms of Goa International Airport communicated timely updates regarding delays or cancellations. Airlines issued SMS and online notifications to passengers, and refreshment provisions were ensured for affected travelers.
Operational manpower remained robust, with check-in and ticketing counters fully staffed. Stakeholder representatives worked together from the 24×7 Control Room and AOCC. City-side deployments of security, traffic police, and housekeeping teams ensured uninterrupted operations. Baggage delivery was prompt with no congestion in the baggage claim areas, and any residual baggage was cleared the same day. Help desks manned by Indigo and the airport operator remained active at the city-side, departure hall, and arrivals zone.
A dedicated control room operated round-the-clock with representatives from Airlines, CISF, State Police, and AAI to handle coordination and grievances. Messages regarding delays and cancellations were disseminated promptly through digital displays, social media, and airline communication systems.
As per the directives of MoCA, a senior Director from the Ministry visited Goa Airport on 9.12.2025 to assess the facilities and action taken by AAI and stakeholders. He appreciated the proactive efforts of the Airport Operator, all airlines including Indigo, CISF, Police authorities, and supporting teams for ensuring smooth handling of the situation and briefed the media on the current status.
Airport operations have since normalized, with only an average of seven planned cancellations per day. Since these cancellations are pre-advised, passengers do not arrive at the airport, preventing congestion. Passengers who visit for ticket changes or cancellations are assisted 24×7 by the airline ticketing counter and the Duty Terminal Manager of AAI. All measures continue to be implemented to ensure a safe, seamless, and passenger-friendly airport environment.
Goa is soaring to new heights on the international tourism map with the recent arrival of multiple international charter flights at the Manohar International Airport, Mopa. This development marks a significant milestone in expanding the state’s global connectivity and attracting tourists from key international markets.
On October 3, 2025, the second 158-seater charter flight from Novosibirsk, Russia, landed in Goa, signaling the beginning of a strong inbound travel season. The following days saw a continued influx, with flights from Yekaterinburg arriving on October 4 and 5, each bringing 158 passengers eager to explore the charm of Goa. Adding to the momentum, a larger flight from Moscow carrying 296 passengers arrived on October 5, further reinforcing Goa’s position as a gateway to India for global travellers.
International connectivity is set to expand even further with the launch of charter flights from Kazakhstan beginning October 25, 2025. These routes are expected to boost travel from Central Asia, offering tourists a direct link to the sun, sand, and culture of Goa.
Speaking about the milestone, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, shared: “The arrival of these international charter flights is a clear reflection of Goa’s growing appeal as a global destination. We are committed to providing world-class experiences, warm hospitality, and seamless connectivity to ensure that every visitor leaves with unforgettable memories.”
Echoing the sentiment, Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, remarked: “The landing of these charter flights marks a key step in expanding Goa’s global accessibility. They also pave the way for greater engagement between travellers and Goa’s local culture and heritage.”
The Department of Tourism continues to work in close coordination with various stakeholders to ensure hassle-free operations and deliver the signature Goan welcome to all travellers. These efforts are not only boosting the economy but also elevating Goa’s reputation as a destination where leisure, culture, and adventure blend seamlessly.
With increasing international arrivals and strategic connectivity initiatives, Goa is set to further cement its place on the global travel map.
GMR Goa Air Cargo Logistic (GGACL), operating from Manohar International Airport (MIA), has achieved a major milestone by handling its first-ever expedition non-scheduled cargo charter movement for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), headquartered in Vasco, Goa.
This specialized operation involved the deployment of the IL-76 freighter aircraft, nicknamed “Gajraj” — a massive Soviet-designed, four-engine turbofan airlifter known for its exceptional heavy-lift capacity. The aircraft took off from MIA carrying critical expedition materials including medicines, food supplies, and essential commodities for the ongoing Indian Antarctic Expedition, with a scheduled route via Cape Town, South Africa.
This event marks the first time an IL-76 aircraft has departed from Manohar International Airport, showcasing the airport’s capability to handle large-scale, specialized cargo operations. Known for its reliability in transporting heavy equipment and operating in extreme conditions, the IL-76 was an ideal choice for the mission supporting India’s polar research.
Notably, this is the third specialized cargo charter movement handled by GGACL in the last two years — underlining its growing reputation as a preferred logistics hub for critical and time-sensitive cargo operations. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced cargo handling capabilities, and a strong track record of execution, GGACL continues to raise the bar in air freight excellence.
This successful collaboration with NCPOR reinforces GGACL’s role not just in commercial logistics, but also in supporting national and scientific missions of international importance — cementing Manohar International Airport’s role as a strategic gateway for global operations.
