For decades, landing at Dabolim Airport was more than just touching down, it was your first reminder that you had arrived in Goa. The sight of swaying palms, the rush of humid coastal air, the promise of the sea just minutes away, it all began here. Before glossy terminals and new routes, before North Goa’s rapid expansion, this airport in South Goa was the state’s only aerial gateway. Known by its IATA code GOI, Dabolim has served travellers for over 70 years and today, it sits at the heart of a renewed debate about Goa’s tourism future. With the new Manohar International Airport (GOX) or Mopa in North Goa which opened in 2022, rumours about shifting all civilian traffic away from Dabolim and converting it into an exclusively defence airport have resurfaced. The concerns are not new. But for many in South Goa, from hoteliers and taxi operators to shack owners and small businesses, the issue is deeply personal. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes have recently assured people that any proposal to shut Dabolim for commercial operations has been put on hold. Yet the anxiety lingers. If all flights were moved to Mopa, reaching South Goa’s beaches, from Colva to Palolem, could take up to three hours, with taxi fares ranging between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000. “It will be a big blow to South Goa economy. Why would someone take a 3-hour cab ride from Mopa to Palolem and also pay a premium for it after taking shorter flights, especially for people from Mumbai and Bangalore who feel Goa is an easier destination,” said Sergio, a local taxi driver. For budget travellers, that cost and time burden could alter holiday decisions altogether. One of Dabolim’s biggest advantages is its location. From the airport, it takes roughly 90 minutes to reach the far end of South Goa at Palolem or even the northern corners like Mandrem and Arambol. Its central positioning has distributed tourism traffic across the state. When the Mopa airport project was first approved in 2000, the Civil Aviation Ministry had reportedly suggested shutting Dabolim’s civilian operations. Back then, it triggered mass protests and eventually it was decided that both airports would function to handle rising passenger traffic, boost tourism and generate employment. Today, that earlier compromise feels more relevant than ever. Goa’s tourism economy is deeply regional. South Goa thrives on accessibility, particularly for international flights and high-end resorts. Removing Dabolim from civilian use would not merely shift flight schedules, it could reshape travel patterns, pricing and even the character of tourism in the state. Dabolim’s history stretches back to 1955, when it was built by the Portuguese government as a civilian airport. It was first called Aeroporto de Dabolim and later renamed Aeroporto General Bénard Guedes. At the time, it served the Portuguese India airline TAIP (Transportes Aéreos da Índia Portuguesa), connecting Goa with Daman, Diu, Karachi and other destinations. Then came December 1961. During Operation Vijay, Indian Armed Forces carried out coordinated air, land and sea operations to end Portuguese rule in Goa. The conflict lasted about 36 hours and marked the end of 451 years of Portuguese presence in India. India refers to this as the Liberation of Goa, while in Portugal it is called the Invasion of Goa. Twenty two Indian and thirty Portuguese lives were lost in the brief operation. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru later justified the action, stating that Portugal had left India with no alternative. Following liberation, Goa was placed under military administration before transitioning to civilian governance in 1962. In December 1961, Dabolim was taken over by the Ministry of Defence and it remains under defence control to this day. By 1966, after repairs and restructuring, Dabolim reopened for civilian travel. Today, the civilian side is managed by the Airports Authority of India, while the runway and air traffic control remain under the Indian Navy. The airport also functions as INS Hansa, a naval airbase. This dual control has historically meant restricted flying hours and limitations during military exercises. Yet despite those constraints, Dabolim has played a pivotal role in shaping Goa’s tourism economy. It was among the first Indian airports to welcome charter flights bringing European holidaymakers to Goa. Those early charters helped position South Goa as a luxury destination, known for its quieter beaches, five-star resorts and expansive properties. In many ways, Dabolim is more than just an airport. It is a symbol of Goa’s layered history and a reminder that infrastructure decisions are rarely just about logistics. They are about livelihoods, identity and the delicate balance between development and heritage.