Goa has recorded a substantially sharper decline in international air passenger traffic than the national average, with Dabolim witnessing a 69 per cent fall and Mopa registering a 42 per cent decline during the April-June quarter.

The figures are part of the latest aviation data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which shows that international passenger traffic from India declined by about 10 per cent during the first quarter of the financial year.

The downturn has been more pronounced among Indian airlines. International passengers carried by Indian carriers fell by 27 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year, while foreign airlines recorded a 6 per cent increase. As a result, the share of international passengers carried by Indian airlines declined from 46 per cent to 37 per cent.

The situation in Goa was considerably worse than the national trend. International traffic at Dabolim airport fell 69 per cent, while Mopa airport declined 42 per cent. The steep reductions place Goa among the smaller Indian aviation markets that have experienced major capacity cuts.

Industry observers point out that smaller airports can show large percentage variations when airlines withdraw or reduce only a few services. Several other Tier-2 cities also recorded sharp declines, including Surat, Chandigarh, Indore, Kannur and Pune.

The decline comes during a period that is normally favourable for passenger travel. The April-June quarter generally receives support from school vacations and increased leisure travel, making the contraction in international traffic particularly significant for the aviation industry.

Among Indian airlines, Akasa Air recorded a 26 per cent increase in international passengers. In contrast, IndiGo saw a 15 per cent decline, while Air India Express and SpiceJet recorded falls of 51 per cent and 56 per cent respectively.

The reduction in Air India Express services has had a major impact because a large portion of its international network was focused on Gulf destinations. Operations were affected by the conflict in West Asia, while higher fuel prices and other operational pressures also contributed to capacity reductions.

The decline was less severe at most major metropolitan airports. Kolkata registered an increase, while Delhi remained broadly stable. Bengaluru recorded a 3.9 per cent decline, Mumbai 5.3 per cent, Chennai 7.9 per cent and Hyderabad 10 per cent.

For Goa, the sharp reduction in international connectivity could have a direct bearing on the tourism sector, particularly during periods when overseas visitor arrivals are expected to support the local economy.

The latest figures also highlight the growing importance of maintaining a wider international network from both Dabolim and Mopa. With Goa competing with other destinations for international tourists, reduced flight availability could affect passenger volumes as well as the state's tourism-linked businesses.

For Goa, the 69 per cent decline at Dabolim and 42 per cent fall at Mopa, against the national 10 per cent contraction, point to a much sharper local impact and raise concerns over the state's international air connectivity.