UAE | Tourism
Expats angry as direct flights from UAE to Goa stopped
Indian airlines stopped direct flights to Goa, India, from UAE. The airlines used to operate two direct flights to Goa in a week.
- By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter
- Published: 16:40 April 1, 2008
- Goa is located on the western coast of the Indian peninsula
- A tourist destination known for its beaches, churches and Portuguese architecture
- Language spoken: Konkani, Hindi, Marathi, English and Portuguese
- Direct flights to the state withdrawn as of March 30.
Dubai: Indian Airlines has stopped all direct flights to Goa from the UAE.
The airlines used to operate two direct flights to Goa in a week.
Indian Airlines or Indian as it was later re-named, merged with Air India in 2007 and operated a twice-weekly flight to Goa until March 30.
Last December, Air India completely stopped its once-a-week Kuwait-Dubai-Goa flight.
With no direct flights to their state, Goans in the UAE said that they are annoyed with the decision and feel that they are being given bad treatment by their national airlines.
More than 50,000 Goans live in the UAE and under the current circumstance are left with no other choice but to fly via Mumbai to Goa.
A senior airline official said that a recommendation for restoration of direct flights has already been sent to their headquarters in Mumbai.
Anand Kumar Pandey, country manager of Indian, said: "We are more than interested in resuming our direct flights. Official recommendation has already been submitted from our side to this effect."
The airline is hoping to establish direct flights three times a week.
Mr Pandey said those who have flights to Goa booked with the airline will be carried for the same fare and on the same ticket to Goa via Mumbai.
"One of the reasons for stopping direct flights is because of the seat factor" said Pandey.
Highlighting the inconvenience they have been forced into, Goans who spoke to Gulf News said that they will have to spend a night in Mumbai as the next domestic flight is the next morning.
That's in addition to the time for travel from the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Sahar to the domestic airport in Santa Cruz.
"If you are flying by an international airline, other than an Indian airline, it will no doubt be cheaper. But you waste four hours to catch a domestic flight. An hour will be spent in baggage collection at the airport in Sahar, then one has to get on to the bus to the domestic airport and go through the process of checking in all over again. This is quite a hassle. Imagine travelling with kids," said Leo Fernandes.
Shirley Carneiro, a banker, said: "The only reason to fly Indian was because it flew directly to Goa. I would prefer direct flights to be resumed."
Tourism: Charming state
More articles from UAE Tourism
More from UAE
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Last minute ID rush is on
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Car seats for children: Unsafe at any speed
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
