Mopa Airport Goa: Facts, how to reach, impact on real estate

The tourism industry in Goa is set to benefit from the newly constructed Mopa Airport. This modern facility will increase passenger capacity and reduce congestion, making travel easier for tourists. Construction of the airport began in November 2016, with the foundation stone being laid by Narendra Modi. The PM inaugurated the first phase of the airport on December 11th, 2022, and commercial operations began in January 2023, welcoming travellers from around the world. The airport has been named after the late Manohar Parrikar, former Chief Minister of the state and Defence Minister of the country. This greenfield project is located at Mopa in Pernem taluka, North Goa.

Table of Contents

GGIAL, the company responsible for constructing Mopa Airport, has secured a debt facility of Rs. 2475 crore from Aditya Birla Finance, JP Morgan, ICICI Bank, Tata Cleantech Capital, and India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL). The funds will be utilised to refinance existing debt and for ongoing capital expenditures. GGIAL is a special-purpose facility that aims to design, build, and operate a new airport in Goa. The Manohar International Airport Project will follow the public-private partnership model.

Mopa Airport Goa: Details

Goa has two international airports: Dabolim in the south and Mopa in the north. The construction of Mopa Airport was managed by GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL). The new airport is designed to reduce the burden on Dabolim International Airport, which currently collaborates with the Indian Navy and has commercial operating restrictions. Congestion during peak hours is a common problem at Dabolim International Airport.

Mopa Airport was built using the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) framework in four phases. The first phase has been completed and has a passenger capacity of 4.4 million annually. The second phase will increase the passenger handling capacity to 5.8 million, followed by the third phase, which aims to handle 9.4 million passengers. The terminal, commercial and cargo aprons, taxiways, and aviation facilities will be continuously expanded throughout these phases.

When the fourth and final phase is completed by 2045, Mopa Airport can accommodate up to 13.1 million passengers annually. This progressive and phased approach ensures that the airport’s infrastructure aligns with the growing demands of air travel, providing enhanced services and convenience to passengers over time.

This greenfield project operates on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, and GGIAL holds the rights to operate the airport for 40 years, extendable by an additional 20 years. The passenger terminal, cargo facilities, air traffic control (ATC), and related structures at the airport were built by the Philippines’ Megawide Construction Corporation.

Mopa Airport Goa: Airside facilities

Mopa Airport has a single terminal building covering an area of 700,000 square feet.
The terminal can handle more than 1,000 inbound and outbound passengers per hour during peak hours.
The airport’s runway is identified as 09/27 and is 3,750 m long and 60 m wide, making it suitable for large aircraft.
Two quick departure routes linked to taxiways are available, each of which is 3,750 m long and 25 m wide.
The airport’s first phase of development includes the construction of a 114,000-square-metre parking apron for commercial aircraft and remote aircraft stands, technical kits for aircraft repair, and service lanes.
The airport also has a cargo apron that can accommodate freighter planes, supported by ramp vehicles for effective cargo unloading.
An air traffic control tower has been built next to the cargo area to ensure secure and well-organised operations.
The airport management has plans to construct two hangars with a combined area of 2,500 square metres in the future to serve general aviation needs.

Mopa Airport Goa: How to reach?

Mopa Airport is located in the Pernem taluka of North Goa. A six-lane road, NH166S, can easily access it, which connects to NH-66 (previously NH-17) near Dhargalim village via a trumpet interchange. A six-lane toll plaza is also planned to improve connectivity.

To reach Mopa Airport from Goa, you have a few transportation options. You can travel by car or bus. If you prefer a private car or taxi, you can hire one or rent a car to reach Mopa Airport directly. The airport is accessible via the NH-66 and NH-166S roads.

Alternatively, you can take an electric bus operated by the Kadambara Transport Corporation Limited (KTC) to reach Mopa Airport. The KTC operates daily bus services connecting Mopa Airport with popular destinations in Goa, such as Margao, Sinquerim, Calangute, Mapusa, and Panaji.

If you prefer to travel by train, the nearest railway station to Mopa Airport is Pernem railway station, about 11.7 km away. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the airport.

Mopa Airport Goa: Upcoming developments

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is building a six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim to improve connectivity to the newly built Mopa Airport. The corridor is 5.15 kilometres long and will cost approximately Rs 641.46 crore. The elevated corridor will run from Sangolda Junction to the Majestic Hotel, part of NH-66 and will enhance accessibility to the airport.

Real estate impact of Mopa International Airport Goa

The recently constructed Mopa Airport in Goa is set to significantly boost tourism in the region and improve connectivity. This development is expected to increase the demand for real estate in the surrounding areas, especially in the North Goa region and the nearby Konkan zone. The area is already experiencing a post-pandemic boom, and the new airport is likely to provide a windfall for real estate investments shortly.

Goa has always been a popular destination for villas, farmhouses, and second homes. With the new airport, the demand for row houses, luxury cottages, and premium apartments is expected to soar, especially among affluent Indians and NRIs who love to own property amidst the beach paradise.

Moreover, the new airport is expected to drive up both real estate and rental prices in and around North Goa. With the airport now operational, a fresh spike in property prices is anticipated.

FAQs

What is Mopa Airport?

Mopa Airport is a newly constructed airport in Pernem taluka, North Goa. It is designed to reduce the burden on Dabolim International Airport and increase tourist passenger capacity.

When was the Mopa Airport inaugurated, and by whom?

The first phase of the airport was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on December 11th, 2022, and Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in November 2016.

What is the passenger capacity of Mopa Airport?

The airport's first phase has a passenger capacity of 4.4 million annually. The second and third phases aim to handle 5.8 and 9.4 million passengers, respectively. When the fourth and final phase is completed in 2045, Mopa Airport will accommodate up to 13.1 million passengers per year.

Which model does Mopa Airport operate on?

Mopa Airport operates on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, and GGIAL holds the rights to operate the airport for 40 years, extendable by an additional 20 years.

What are the airside facilities of Mopa Airport?

Mopa Airport has a single terminal building with a capacity of over 1,000 inbound and outbound passengers per hour during peak hours. The airport's runway is 3,750 metres long and 60 metres wide, and the first phase includes a 114,000 square metre parking apron for commercial aircraft and remote aircraft stands, technical kits for aircraft repair, and service lanes. The airport also has a cargo apron and an air traffic control tower and plans to construct two hangars to serve general aviation needs in the future.

How can one reach Mopa Airport?

Mopa Airport can be easily accessed by a six-lane road that connects to NH-66 near Dhargalim village via a trumpet interchange. You can travel by car or bus, hire a private car or taxi, or take an electric bus operated by the Kadambara Transport Corporation Limited (KTC) to reach Mopa Airport. The nearest railway station to Mopa Airport is Pernem railway station, about 11.7 km away.

What are the upcoming developments at Mopa Airport?

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is building a six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim to improve connectivity.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com

Was this article useful?

😃 (1)
😐 (0)
😔 (0)

Khushi Jha

Khushi Jha, a graduate in history and political science from the University of Delhi, doesn’t restrict herself to a single domain. Her passion for writing has led her to explore a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from fashion, health and lifestyle to technology, real estate and finance. She has written for platforms like TheVoiceOfWoman, Techsunk, Fitmist and Menskool, among others. When free, she enjoys reading books, including fiction, history and geopolitics.