Panaji (Goa): Paucity of slots for charter flights has finally been solved with the Indian Navy deciding to withdraw NOTAM on weekend mornings. The tourism stakeholders had raised apprehensions over possible cancellations of charter flights from various countries following IN’s sudden decision ahead of the tourist season. 

 

In a meeting held between Minister for Panchayats Mauvin Godinho, Flag Officer Naval Aviation, Rear Admiral Puneet Kumar Bahl, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha and Chairman GTDC  Nilesh Cabral; the naval decided to withdraw their decision.  The meeting was held at the naval base in Vasco this morning.

 

The Travel & Tourism Association of Goa have said they profusely grateful to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for intervening and espousing the cause of the Charter Operators and the Tourism industry and being instrumental in revoking the landing restrictions for charters issued by the Navy on Saturday and Sunday. “The industry is relieved with this decision,” President Savio Messias said.

 

The TTAG had feared cancellation of flights as several charters had not been given the slots after the IN’s decided to continue the closure timing in the morning hours from weekdays to weekends too. Only one charter flight has arrived in Goa since October 1 while the second flight from UK had been waiting for a slot.