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PANAJI: The Russia-Ukraine war has thinned the flow of charter flights from Russia to Goa, with only Aeroflot putting down the money for charter slots at Goa International Airport, Dabolim. Inbound charter flights to the sunny state in October have dwindled from the usual five to six a day to five to six per week.
Sanctions, forex fluctuation, and the overall bleak traveller sentiment have dissuaded the other Russian carrier, Azur Air, from applying for landing slots in Goa.
“Tour operators such as Anex, Coral Travel, FUN&SUN, and Intourist, had organised charter tours last year,” said a tour operator. “This year, they have opted to book their passengers on Aeroflot, which flies to Goa from Moscow and Yekaterinburg.”
The number of foreign tourists arriving in Goa on charter flights has been declining, and this year industry watchers estimate international footfall to be only 30-40% of the pre-Covid level.
“Whenever there is a war somewhere, the tourism industry is the first to suffer an impact,” said Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Nilesh Shah. “Nobody wants to be outside their country during a conflict. A few people who were booked with me have already cancelled their plans.” Another victim of the geopolitical strife is the foreign exchange rate. With West Asia bristling with hostility, oil prices and the dollar are firming up. This has upset the calculations of tour operators.
“Currency fluctuation is a major problem. When you book a charter flight, you have to pay the full price, whether you fly or not,” said a representative of Azur Air.
Azur Air exploring possibility of bringing charters to Goa
In such a situation, pricing for the tour package becomes tough. The forex fluctuation means that now instead of a 5-star resort, you have to stay at a 3-star resort because your earnings have not changed.”
But the situation is dynamic. Till last week, Azur Air had decided to give the current season a miss but then hostilities broke out between Israel and Hamas.
“Because of the Israel-Hamas war, the flights that were going to Egypt from Russia could be stopped. In that case, passengers who have already paid have to be taken some-where,” said the Azur Air representative. “Goa could stand to benefit.”
Egypt is a budget destination and is popular among the Russians. Azur Air has now resumed talks with its coun-terparts in Goa to explore the possibility of bringing charter flights to Goa.
Tour operators say that irrespective of Azur Air’s decision, the availability of connecting flights to Goa can easily meet the current demand.
Russia is connected to Goa by Air Arabia, Oman Air, and Qatar Airways with Aeroflot offering the best tariff, say tour operators.
The pick-up in the charters from the UK is another source of hope for Goa’s hospitality sector, as British tourists are expected to significantly increase this year as compared to last year, when a dip was recorded due to e-visa complications.
Sanctions, forex fluctuation, and the overall bleak traveller sentiment have dissuaded the other Russian carrier, Azur Air, from applying for landing slots in Goa.
“Tour operators such as Anex, Coral Travel, FUN&SUN, and Intourist, had organised charter tours last year,” said a tour operator. “This year, they have opted to book their passengers on Aeroflot, which flies to Goa from Moscow and Yekaterinburg.”
The number of foreign tourists arriving in Goa on charter flights has been declining, and this year industry watchers estimate international footfall to be only 30-40% of the pre-Covid level.
“Whenever there is a war somewhere, the tourism industry is the first to suffer an impact,” said Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Nilesh Shah. “Nobody wants to be outside their country during a conflict. A few people who were booked with me have already cancelled their plans.” Another victim of the geopolitical strife is the foreign exchange rate. With West Asia bristling with hostility, oil prices and the dollar are firming up. This has upset the calculations of tour operators.
“Currency fluctuation is a major problem. When you book a charter flight, you have to pay the full price, whether you fly or not,” said a representative of Azur Air.
Azur Air exploring possibility of bringing charters to Goa
In such a situation, pricing for the tour package becomes tough. The forex fluctuation means that now instead of a 5-star resort, you have to stay at a 3-star resort because your earnings have not changed.”
But the situation is dynamic. Till last week, Azur Air had decided to give the current season a miss but then hostilities broke out between Israel and Hamas.
“Because of the Israel-Hamas war, the flights that were going to Egypt from Russia could be stopped. In that case, passengers who have already paid have to be taken some-where,” said the Azur Air representative. “Goa could stand to benefit.”
Egypt is a budget destination and is popular among the Russians. Azur Air has now resumed talks with its coun-terparts in Goa to explore the possibility of bringing charter flights to Goa.
Tour operators say that irrespective of Azur Air’s decision, the availability of connecting flights to Goa can easily meet the current demand.
Russia is connected to Goa by Air Arabia, Oman Air, and Qatar Airways with Aeroflot offering the best tariff, say tour operators.
The pick-up in the charters from the UK is another source of hope for Goa’s hospitality sector, as British tourists are expected to significantly increase this year as compared to last year, when a dip was recorded due to e-visa complications.
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