Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu flags off inaugural flight from NAMO Airport, Daman

Why in news

The inaugural flight connecting Daman directly to Delhi was flagged off from the newly operational NAMO Airport, Daman, establishing Daman's first-ever direct air link.

Exam relevance

GS1, GS3 · Geography, Economy, Governance · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. Alliance Air has launched a direct flight connecting Daman to Delhi.
2. The flight was flagged off from the NAMO Airport in Daman.
3. This marks Daman's first-ever direct air link.
4. The NAMO Airport operates out of the Indian Coast Guard Air Station (ICGAS), Daman.
5. The civil terminal was developed by the UT Administration at a cost of ₹124 crore on a 25-acre site.
6. The Ministry of Civil Aviation reimbursed ₹88 crore towards the project.
7. The terminal spans 3,700 square metres.
8. The airport can handle 14 ATR flights a day and has a capacity of 3.67 lakh passengers annually.

Prelims pointers

• Daman has received its first direct air link to Delhi.
• NAMO Airport in Daman is a dual-purpose facility operating from the Indian Coast Guard Air Station.
• The civil terminal development cost ₹124 crore, with ₹88 crore reimbursed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• The terminal has an annual passenger capacity of 3.67 lakh.

Mains practice question

Examine the significance of enhanced regional air connectivity for the economic development of Union Territories and smaller cities in India, using the example of the new Daman-Delhi air route.

Static linkage

Regional air connectivity initiatives, development of airport infrastructure in smaller cities and Union Territories, and the role of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India in facilitating air travel.

Significance

The direct air link is expected to boost tourism and economic activity in Daman and the surrounding regions. It enhances connectivity for residents and facilitates business travel. The development of NAMO Airport signifies the government's focus on improving infrastructure in Union Territories and promoting regional air connectivity under schemes like UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), although UDAN is not explicitly mentioned in the source.