Daman: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu flagged off the first Alliance Air flight between Daman and Delhi from NAMO Airport. The service gave the Union Territory its first direct air link with the national capital.
The inaugural flight departed on July 16. Administrator Praful Patel attended the event. Senior officials from the UT Administration, Airports Authority of India, Alliance Air and the Indian Coast Guard also joined the programme.
Meanwhile, NAMO Airport operates from the Indian Coast Guard Air Station in Daman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone on April 25, 2023. He inaugurated the airport on June 5, 2026.
The UT Administration built the airport on a 25-acre site. The project cost ₹124 crore. Moreover, the Ministry of Civil Aviation reimbursed ₹88 crore. The terminal covers 3,700 square metres. It can handle 14 ATR flights every day. The annual passenger capacity stands at 3.67 lakh.
NAMO Airport set to improve connectivity
Naidu said the new service cut travel time to about 2.5 hours. Earlier, passengers travelled through Surat or Mumbai. The journey usually took eight to 10 hours. Therefore, the new flight offers a much faster option.
Furthermore, the Minister said the Centre had approved more than 450 projects worth over ₹13,000 crore during the past 12 years. He said the projects benefited Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
He added that residents named the facility NAMO Airport. They did so to honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the region.
In addition, the Minister said the airport would support more than 7,000 industries across Daman, Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It would also benefit industries in nearby Vapi and Valsad. Better air links are expected to attract investment. They are also expected to create new jobs.
Meanwhile, Naidu highlighted Daman’s tourism potential. Nearly 20 lakh tourists visit the region every year. He said the number would increase with improved air connectivity.
The Minister also announced plans to extend the runway. As a result, larger Airbus A320 aircraft could operate from Daman. Future services may connect Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad and Patna.
Additionally, he said faster flights would help fisheries and marine businesses. Food processing units would also benefit. The pharmaceutical sector is expected to gain from quicker transport.
Besides this, the Minister announced a 10-year extension of the UDAN scheme. The programme has an outlay of ₹29,000 crore. It aims to develop 100 airports and 200 helipads.
Finally, Administrator Praful Patel described NAMO Airport as a game-changer for the region. He said the airport would strengthen the industrial corridor. He also said it would create more opportunities for local youth.
