Air India Resumes Flights to Boost Goa Tourism
The Air India flight from Goa to Gatwick, suspended after a crash in June, will resume in September, as announced by Goa's Tourism Minister. This move, along with new routes and increased international arrivals, is part of Goa's strategy to boost sustainable tourism and recovery post-pandemic.
- Country:
- India
Air India's direct flight service between Goa and Gatwick is set to resume by the end of September, according to Goa's Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte. This comes after the service was paused due to a tragic crash last June in Ahmedabad that claimed 260 lives. The minister disclosed this during a legislative assembly session, emphasizing that enhanced connectivity is crucial for the state's tourism sector.
The Tourism Minister provided more insights, revealing plans that extend beyond the resumption of flights to Gatwick. By October 2025, Russia's Aeroflot Airlines will begin operations with three weekly flights from Yekaterinburg to Goa, anticipated to bring over 13,000 Russian tourists. New air corridors have also been established with Poland, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, contributing to a steady rise in international tourist arrivals.
Tourism metrics for Goa indicate a robust recovery, with 54.5 lakh visitors between January and June 2025, an 8.4% increase from the previous year. The minister highlighted factors such as cultural events and a high hotel occupancy rate as indicators of strong tourism demand. Official figures show that post-pandemic, Goa's tourist numbers have significantly outpaced pre-COVID levels.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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