Planning a mission to Goa? Here are the top tips you’ll need to successfully operate to this challenging destination.

Goa International Airport is also known as the Dabolim Airport, is the sole airport in the state of Goa, located in the city of Dabolim. It operates as a civil enclave in a military airbase named INS Hansa. The airport is the main gateway for tourists to the region. The airport remains closed at certain times daily for commercial and GA traffic. Like other airports in India, the passenger traffic has grown significantly over the past decade, quadrupling since 2005. GA operations to VOGO can be very challenging from various perspectives. Here are a few points to be considered before planning your operation.

Landing Permits

Since VOGO is a military shared airfield, therefore, Indian Naval Authorities process the landing permit. The lead time for landing permit approval is 21 days. And an application with complete crew details is to be submitted ahead of lead time, in order to secure a timely approval from the authorities. Details required for a Naval Base landing permit application are:

Complete crew names
Full passport details
Parentage
Crew residential addresses

Parking

Another important aspect to be considered before operating to Goa is parking restrictions at the airport. Several issues contribute to parking limitations at Goa Airport. Comparatively small civil dispersal, a large number of commercial movements, and military flying exercises are a few major issues that contribute to the non-availability of long term or overnight parking for GA operations.

All GA operators are advised to reposition aircraft to surrounding airports after passengers have disembarked and again reposition for pick-up. A GA aircraft is allowed a maximum of 60-90 mins of ground time at VOGO. Since overnight parking is not allowed at VOGO, consider the surrounding airports of VOML and VOHS. Both have ample of parking space.

Operating Hours

Though Goa Airport terminal and its facilities are available 24/7, there are several runway restrictions for both commercial and GA operations due to military exercises. The runway will not be available at the times below:

0300 – 0700 UTC (Monday – Friday)
1000 – 1100 UTC (Monday – Friday)
0300 – 0600 UTC (Saturday & Sunday)

Visa on Arrival

Visa on arrival facility is available at Goa International Airport because of its status as a prominent tourist destination. Visa on arrival for the crew (TLP: Temporary Landing Permit) can be granted at the airport for a duration of 72 hours for 40 USD per crew member. Notice with complete crew and aircraft details is required to be submitted at the Immigration office. UAS agents can liaise with concerned departments and arrange an approval for this service.

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