PANAJI: Air travellers flying to and from Goa during the upcoming festive season face a complex mix of expanded international connectivity, shifting airport terminals in Mumbai, and higher airfares, as airlines realign their operations under the winter schedule.In a major boost to Goa’s international and domestic connectivity, Air India Express has announced the addition of 10 weekly flight frequencies to the state. The expansion comprises seven international frequencies to Goa International Airport, Dabolim, three international frequencies to Manohar International Airport at Mopa, and seven domestic frequencies to Mopa.As part of its broader winter network expansion, the low-cost carrier is restoring key West Asia routes. The airline has reinstated its Goa–Dubai service to a daily operation out of Dabolim, following its temporary suspension during recent airspace disruptions and subsequent resumption in Aug. Additionally, Air India Express is restoring its thrice-a-week Goa (Mopa)–Abu Dhabi service.Concurrently, regional connectivity receives a boost with IndiGo announcing the resumption of its direct Rajkot–Goa route from Oct 25, after a six-month suspension. Operating four days a week through March 27, the service is expected to benefit Saurashtra-bound and festive season travellers. Regional carrier Fly91 is also anticipated to announce services connecting Goa’s Mopa airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) in the near future.However, festive travellers face potential disruptions due to extensive terminal reallocations at Mumbai International Airport. Roughly six Mumbai–Goa flights daily are expected to undergo schedule changes linked to the redevelopment of Mumbai’s terminal-1, which is scheduled to be demolished in Jan. Following a request from operator Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) to shift about one-third of international passenger and cargo operations to the newly constructed NMIA, several domestic services are being relocated.Compounding the terminal shifts, fliers will also absorb higher travel costs after IndiGo raised fuel charges across its domestic and international routes from Tuesday. The airline cited a sharp, month-on-month surge in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices exceeding 14%—among the highest spikes seen in a decade—driven primarily by East Asia geopolitical tensions. While IndiGo characterised the hike as a “measured and relatively modest adjustment” to offset operating pressures, the broader spike in jet fuel costs is expected to strain network economics and influence airfares industry-wide during the peak holiday travel period.
