1st international charter flight of 2026-27 tourism season arrives in Goa with 162 Russian travellers

PANAJI, Sep 30:  Goa's tourism sector received an early boost on Wednesday with the arrival of the 2026-27 season's first international charter flight from Russia, bringing 162 holidaymakers from Yekaterinburg to the Dabolim airport.

The Russian tourists received a traditional Goan welcome with flowers and a brass band upon their arrival at the airport.

The arrival marked the beginning of Goa's international charter season, with the Russian programme being operated through Aeroflot services connecting the coastal state with Yekaterinburg city and capital Moscow.

The programme, supported by Concord Exotic Voyages (India) Pvt Ltd and Minar Group, will initially operate five flights a week, with the frequency expected to increase to nine flights per week from mid-October, according to the Goa Tourism Department.

Charter services from the UK and Kazakhstan are expected to commence in the coming weeks.

The first charter arrival this year came in September, earlier than in recent years when the international charter season generally began in the first or second week of October.

Another charter carrying 285 tourists from Moscow is scheduled to arrive at the Dabolim airport in south Goa on October 4, officials said.

The Russian arrivals will be followed by the commencement of Goa's UK charter programme in November.

A Le Passage to India (TUI Group) charter from Manchester, carrying around 285 travellers based on bookings so far, is scheduled to arrive on November 4, followed by another charter from Gatwick, they said.

Charter services from Kazakhstan are also expected to begin in the coming weeks, adding to the international visitor mix during the 2026-27 tourism season.

Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte said the first charter flight marked the beginning of Goa's international charter season and the state was looking to strengthen traditional source markets while expanding its international footprint.

"Our focus is on building Goa as a better-connected, responsible and year-round global destination," Khaunte maintained.

Director of Tourism Kedar A Naik said international charters remained an important part of Goa's tourism ecosystem, supporting hotels, tour operators, travel agents, transport providers and other stakeholders.

Sheik Ismail, senior vice-president of Concord Exotic Voyages, said the response from the Russian market had been encouraging and the company expected to bring more travellers to Goa during the season.

Goa has traditionally been a popular winter destination for Russian and British tourists, with charter flights playing an important role in its international tourism sector. (PTI)