One of the standard arguments in the Dabolim debate is the non-use of night operating hours by airlines. HERALD (Dec 3) had a report headlined "No takers for Dabolim night operations". NAVHIND TIMES of the same date said the following: "He also informed that the navy is operating 24 hours and has upgraded its system....'If the civil aviations stretch their operations during night times than there would be no confusion at the Dabolim airport,' added Rear Admiral Vadgaokar."
I myself have addressed this issue on goanet (Aug 17) in the following vein: < Dabolimis supposedly open to night operations for which there are no takers according to the Navy. This may simply be because scheduled international flights are disallowed at Dabolim airport though chartered flights are allowed. Hence only domestic airlines can use Dabolim at night. Since existing airlines are unwilling to change their schedules for Goa, we may have to wait for a new airline which is geared specifically to night flights to operate out of Dabolim. For this to happen, changes may have to be effected not only in AAI, but also in taxi services and in hotel check-in/check out times. All this might take time.> One obvious solution which no one seems to be considering is for the NAVY to use the night hours (6:30 pm to 6:30 am) for its flight training activities. What's sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander, right? No staffing, transport and coordination problems in this option. And many more hours at the navy's disposal to hone its pilots' Sea Harrier and helicopter flying skills. A real win-win solution. What say? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------
