New Goa Mopa Airport – Status, Master Plan & Design
Manohar International Airport (GOX), also known as New Goa International Airport, at Mopa in North Goa’s Pernem taluka is being developed by GMR Airports Ltd. through its subsidiary GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) with a four phase master plan to ultimately handle 13.1 passengers per annum (MPPA).
Mopa Airport’s foundation stone for the construction was laid by Prime Minister Modi in November 2016 and the airport was inaugurated by PM Modi on December 11, 2022. Commercial operations started in January 2023.
This Airport project is based on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, which is based on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis.
GGIAL has the rights to operate the airport for 40 years, extendable by another 20 years. Philippines’ Megawide Construction Corporation constructed the airport’s passenger terminal, cargo facilities, ATC and associated buildings.
- Area: 2133 acres
- Estimated Cost: Rs. 2,650 crore (Phase 1)
- Deadline: 2022 (Phase 1 opening / start of operations)
- Nodal Agency: Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL)
- Architect: Nordic – Office of Architecture
- Civil Construction Contractor: Megawide Construction Corporation
Mopa Airport will relieve the burden on the existing Dabolim International Airport which shares its facilities with the Indian Navy, which restricts the hours of commercial operations leading to airside congestion during peak hours.
Current Status
Goa’s Mopa Airport was inaugurated and opened in December 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Commercial operations started in January 2023.
Location & Access
Mopa Airport’s site (view on Google Maps) is located in North Goa’s Pernem taluka. The airport is accessible via NH-166S – a 6 lane road originating from NH-66 (old NH-17) at Dhargalim village via a trumpet interchange. A 6+6 lane toll plaza will also be constructed.
In December 2021, Ashoka Buildcon emerged as the lowest bidder to construct this road on EPC basis with a bid value of Rs. 769.41 crore. That road was inaugurated in July 2024.
Phase 1 – Design & Architecture
The airport features a single passenger terminal building extending over 700,000ft and support capacity to process approximately 1,000 inbound and outbound passengers an hour during peak hours.
Mopa Airport has been designed by Nordic – Office of Architecture. Its interiors resemble local architecture and Goan craft.
Airside facilities
The airport features a single runway (09/27) which is 3,750m-long and 60m-wide. The runway is designed with the capacity to accommodate a Boeing 777-200. The runway has two rapid exit ways interconnected with taxiways each 3,750m-long and 25m-wide.
The phase one development also includes construction of a commercial aircraft parking apron with an area of 114,000m². The apron is equipped with remote aircraft stands, service roads and aircraft maintenance technical kits. The cargo apron is built with a capacity to hold a freighter aircraft and is served by ramp vehicles to quickly unload cargo.
An air traffic control (ATC) tower has been built adjacent to the cargo area. Two hangars will be built across a 2,500m² area for general aviation purposes in the future.
Master Plan
Mopa airport is being developed in four phases, with the first phase designed to accommodate approximately 4.4 million passengers a year. Passenger handling capacity will be gradually increased to 5.8 in the second phase and then to 9.4 million in the third phase.
The phased development will involve the continuous expansion of terminal, commercial and cargo aprons, taxiways, and aviation facilities. The airport will ultimately be able to handle 13.1 million passengers a year upon completion of the fourth and final phase by 2045.
Page last updated: July 15, 2024. Have a question or spot an error? Let me know here.