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Goa Dabolim Airport Passenger Reviews and Goa Dabolim Airport Traveller Reports
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GOA DABOLIM AIRPORT customer review : 19 March 2013 by G Morrell (UK) |
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Rating : 0/10 |  |
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Recommended |  |
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Awful! Come expecting the worst and you won't be disappointed. With only 2 flights departing (within 2 hours
of each other) it shouldn't have been difficult to process the 500-600 passengers over the 2 hour window of
both flights leaving (TCX+TOM). One queue after another. Showed my passport and boarding card 7 times
from check-in to boarding. Security more concerned about seeing your stamped boarding card and stamped
bag tag on your hand luggage than making sure your hand luggage didn't contain anything it shouldn't (no
need to take out electricals, liquids - these aren't picked up) I had a litre bottle of water, all my other liquids,
I-Pad in hand luggage and a friend a tin of coke. Nothing picked up. Gate area filthy dirty with seating that
was stained and very grubby. Let's hope the long promised new terminal is better.
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GOA DABOLIM AIRPORT customer review : 13 December 2012 by Rishad Patell (India) |
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Rating : 4/10 |  |
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Recommended | |
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What a horrible little airport. Its chaos when you land as 2 baggage belts seem to handle all incoming
flights. Baggage came quick enough though. Departures was crowded but security very quick. There were only
2 flights departing in our area so enough place to sit. Horribly loud movie playing overhead that seemed to
disturb everybody. Snacks and food options are terrible- and staff seem rude and never smile.
Announcements are constant and very annoying. Cannot wait for the new airport building to be completed.
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GOA DABOLIM AIRPORT customer review : 21 April 2012 by Debbie Stothert (UK) |
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Rating : 1/10 |  |
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Recommended | |
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This is the worst airport I have ever been to. It is definitely worse leaving than arriving. It is small, hot, with
zero facilities and horrible staff. I will not return to Goa again unless they build the new airport.
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GOA DABOLIM AIRPORT customer review : 13 March 2012 by J Williamson (UK) |
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Rating : 7/10 |  |
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Recommended |  |
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Last visited Dabolim Airport 6 years ago when it was a nightmare. This time arrival and departure was fairly
slick - 30 minutes each way without multiple jobsworths checking and rechecking bags, visas, passports etc.
Perhaps we were just lucky judging by other comments.
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GOA DABOLIM AIRPORT customer review : 24 February 2012 by A Griffin (UK) |
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Rating : 2/10 |  |
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Recommended | |
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Returning to England with Monarch we were subjected to demands for tips by an army of out-of-control
porters. That was before we had even got inside the madhouse masquerading as an international airport.
Having had our passports and tickets checked at the entrance we found ourselves in the wrong hall having
queued for 40mins at the wrong screening machine. After checking in at the Monarch desk (not an experience
I would want to repeat) we joined the queue for passport control and waited and waited and waited, the
desks went unmanned for a further 30mins by which time chaos reigned. After passing through passport
control we then had a further delaying security search. From entering the airport to reaching the so-called
departure lounge had taken no less than two hours of total stress. Never again!
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Goa Dabolim Airport customer review : 4 April 2011 by I Apps (UK)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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I have just arrived back from Goa. My wife and friends previously travelled to Goa in 2007
and the processes to get from tarmac to front door were chaotic to say the very least. The
return trip from front door to plane was even worse, taking at least two hours. Do not be
tempted to exchange money at the airport. The rate is approximately 15%-20% less than you will
get from local outlets at your destination. Furthermore they charge a commission and then add
tax on top. You will be lucky to get 75% of your original amount. They will do the same when
you return to the airport for your departure, using the excuse that Indian money cannot be
exported. Hang onto any rupees as these can be spent in the departure lounge to get water,
etc. A bottle of water costs 30 rupees (~40p). They will accept £ coins but you will not get
change! Rupees are not accepted in the Duty Free Shop. The arrival through immigration and
luggage collection was fairly quick this time though hang onto your luggage as porters will
try to take it off you and will disappear with it before you can ascertain where your
transport is located. On our return trip all hold luggage is scanned and security tabbed.
We were fortunate that our check-in desk was located in the Domestic Terminal. The queue
outside the entrance to International Departures was 150 ft long, with some passengers forced
to stand in direct sunlight. Check-in took 5 minutes and we then proceeded to Immigration.
The check-in desk should give you a label for each piece of hand luggage. It is important to
make sure you complete your name and flight number and then attach it to the bag as it will be
checked later. Ensure the departure immigration form is completed correctly as you will be
sent to the back of the queue. The queue for the Immigration desk was about 50 feet long but
it took at least 90 minutes to reach it. Watch out for local dignitaries with their entourage
as they jump the queue! You have to stand and the hall is not air-conditioned so ensure you
take a bottle of water with you to the airport. The next blockage is security where all
liquids are removed. Apparently you are not allowed to carry any with you so pack everything
in the hold luggage. Males and females are separated. The male queue is fairly quick and
processing is similar to UK airports. Females have to go behind a screen. Check that the
label on your hand luggage has been stamped after it has been X-rayed otherwise you will not
be allowed through the departure gate! When I was there only one female security person was
in attendance. She disappeared for about 20 minutes (I assume it was her tea break) and queue
snaked back beyond the Immigration desks. One other point to note at security is the
propensity for staff to search hand luggage at the X-ray machine and this may happen without
the owner being aware. We arranged for one of our party to go ahead through security to ensure
the bags were not searched without their owners being present. This is especially important
for the ladies as they will be behind the screen. I do not believe the staff are dishonest
but this is an opportunity for misunderstandings to occur! Our plane was delayed for 40
minutes as some people took nearly 3 hours to progress through Immigration and Security. It
was very uncomfortable to stand so long in a hot room full of sweating people. It spoiled our
holiday and we will not return until they implement faster and more efficient processes. Many
of our fellow passengers had the same opinion. According to the Goa Times, tourism accounts
for 40% of local government revenue. It is apparent the desire to increase foreign earnings is
undermined by inefficient processes. Indeed I would go so far as to describe Goa airport as
the most dysfunctional airport I have ever visited. Without any shadow of doubt our recent
experience has confirmed the Indian authorities have elevated incompetence and inefficiency
into an art form! You have been warned!
Goa Dabolim Airport customer review : 8 February 2011 by D Keenan-Bokr (Germany)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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This has to be the worst airport I have ever seen. An absolute shambles. Dirty, hot &
disgusting. The security staff are unfriendly. Avoid the public toilets if you can they are
not the most hygienic, leaking pipes, filthy toilets, no toilet paper and flies. We flew
business class and the so called lounge was a joke. It was a drab, dark room dressed in 1960
decor. There is no food, only a bottle of water or soft drink to be had. The chairs are so
worn out that you feel the springs. I was glad to leave after 2hrs in this lounge and airport.
GOA AIRPORT customer review : 20 August 2010 by A Walker
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Customer Rating : 5/5 |  |
It would seem things have improved here. There are armed security people at the entrance to
the airport and prior to the car parking areas and only passengers can enter the departures
area after providing their boarding pass. Visitors can enter with a visitor pass but have to
remain in a small waiting area near the glass front of the airport. The staff are friendly and
the security only took a couple of minutes. After security it was pretty much the boarding
gate, as others have said, it's a small airport. Be warned there are no walkways to the planes
and all connections are made by bus across the airfield. One concern I had was from the
customs, where there was a large sign advising passengers not to pay bribes if requested and
to report any incidences by calling a number. Not the sort of thing I'm used to seeing but at
least the authorities are starting to wake up and tackle corruption in India as it is about
time someone did so. Anyway, staff here were polite and seemed efficient enough. I thought the
restroom/toilet facilities were of a good standard and kept clean with attendants on hand.
GOA AIRPORT customer review : 8 November 2009 by D Gill
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
This is a tiny airport where there isn't far to go from getting into the terminal building to
getting on the plane. Substandard facilities but they seemed to work better than most Indian
airports I have been to. Security is pretty lax as my friend was allowed to travel with a
lighter after it had been identified. Security leads to the departure lounge which is one
large, untidy room full of passengers and out of the way were some filthy washroom facilities.
You have to walk onto the tarmac to get to the plane so disabled travellers need to be aware
of this. When arriving, the bags came off quickly (though it was a small flight).
GOA AIRPORT review : 26 March 2009 : by Bob Ellis
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |  |
Travel to Goa twice a year and little changes at Dabolin apart from the number of officials
increases each year. Check in and Security takes a minimum of an hour, and is usually early in
the morning, so be prepared and stay cool. Liquids, lighters and sharp objects are forbidden
in hand luggage as in UK. Dont change any money at the airport going in or out as the rate of
exchange is abismal. Keep a couple of hundred rupees for coffee and bottles of water in the
airport cafe, at 40 pence a lot cheaper than on the plane. Duty free very expensive compared
with liquor shops outside in Goa
Goa Dabolim Airport by Y Handley
26 November 2008 Customer Rating : 
Can't disagree with anything above, but we keep going back year after year so it can't be that bad.
As long as you are prepared for what is to come it's a giggle. The lighter smuggling is a nightmare,
I've never managed to get one through yet but I know many that have and they used the same hiding
places as me. I was told they can't find them in a spectacle case, - they found mine but a friend I
made there got 2 through and slipped one in my bag. There's always someone in the smoking room with
a light cos the ones on the wall rarely work.
Goa Dabolim Airport by Alison Lund
4 October 2007 Customer Rating :
I have been to Goa 3 times previously. Arrival at the airport has improved since then and is much more
user friendly. the first time we were sat on the floor of arrivals filling in immigration cards, at
least these are now done on the plane ready for landing. The airport experience is all part of the
holiday, giving a pound for help with cases is no problem. After our 1st experience of going to hotel
by coach we now use taxis. On return the first occasion we travelled by coach on our to the airport
which was a big mistake, we waited outside in the direct sun in a lsow moving queue to get baggage
checked in. We learnt from this to take a taxi and make sure you left in time to beat the crowds.
Having said that we still had to queue for over an hour before anyone turned up to get you through
departures, it's a slow laborious process! Think it's a challenge to see how many stamps can be put
on a boarding pass, and dont forget a label on everything you are carrying! The facilities airside are
limited so go prepared. Take it as part of your holiday experience, and you won't be disappointed!
Goa Dabolim Airport by Sarah Guthrie
6 June 2007 Customer Rating :
I think the airport makes your holiday, it is an experience. it is
daunting for your first time though but you get an understanding on how
Goan people are. Hold on to your luggage when going outside as you will
have a number of young boys/men taking them. A £1 coin is accepted if
you let them do this but if you dont want to, simply say no thankyou and
they should leave you. You need to enjoy the experience and take it with
a pinch of salt. I can say though the security is mad! It is so hard to
get out of the country as well as getting in! And ladies all I say is if
you need to use the loo on arrival, be prepared to either hand over £1
coin for the loo roll or go all ready prepared. Also upon leaving they
are very cleaver in finding hidden lighters/matches so be for warned!
There are workers around who have lighters so you can have a cig in
departures. Hope you enjoy your visit.
Goa Dabolim Airport by Jeanette Watson
27 February 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
Dabolim airport is the worst one I have ever been to. Security checks
are a nightmare, far too many chiefs. I could not wait to get on the
plane! But having moaned I will be back there this time next year
trying to get out of paradise, with a lighter in my bag hopefully, to
have a quick puff before boarding.
Goa Dabolim Airport by Amanda Duff
1 June 2006
Having flown through Dublin, Paris and Mumbai to get there I was amazed
that I met more security in this tiny airport than the other three
combined.
Goa Dabolim Airport by Bill Hawkins
26 April 2006
All the above reports are accurate maybe, but I have been going to Goa
for about 15 years and can say that every year things get a little
better - in fact I consider it quite equal to the best of India's
airports. Perhaps not great praise, but as always in this wonderful
country give yourself plenty of time and remember your sense of humour.
I always grab a seat in the pretty smart restaurant and knock back a
couple of beers.
Goa Dabolim Airport by Chris Penfold
24 April 2006
Back again to Dambolim this year (see review April 2005) nothing has
changed at this airport except they seem to be knocking a part of it
down. The arrival and departure procedures haven't changes and it still
takes at least six people to stamp your boarding card even if they are
stood next to each other. The gents loo's in the departure lounge are a
disgrace the seats were broken and the smell was terrible. Had the fun
of seeing a Russian aircraft board prior to our flight and wondered how
the thing got off the ground, the amount of hand luggage was amazing,
some of the passengers could barely carry it and there seemed no check
on what they could take. Yet despite these comments I would still travel
to Goa as it has to be a great holiday destination.
Goa Dabolim Airport by Peter Edwards
6 November 2005
I have never in my life seen so much bureaucracy and chaos as I have
seen here. We once had 10 security checks just to get out of the
country - the plane arrived from the UK half an hour early, but we were
one and a half hours late departing! There is only one thing to do -
stand back, enjoy it and laugh - it is hilarious!
Goa Dabolim
Airport by Natasha Smith
19
July 2005
It is a very small airport and there is nothing by means of duty free shopping on
arrival and a few once you get past airside. The immigration control system is
ridiculous. I had to queue for over an hour, waiting to get the landing card and
passport stamped. There were 4 queues and all seemed to be moving as slow as each
other. Luggage came quickly, although the carousels are very small, they remind me of
a Scaletrick track. Baggage porters will try to whisk your bags from the carousel and
pile all suitcases in stacks, they think this is helpful, but this results in people
running around trying to reclaim baggage from stack piles. Also porters will grab
your cases and bags from you and try to charge you money. So be prepared and ready to
say a firm "No thank you" and hold onto your cases. The check-in-staff have a strict
policy and will charge you for every kilo that you are overweight. This was approx £6
per kg when I was there, and I was stung £60, other passengers paid alot more. This
is major revenue for the airport it seems, as parking fines are to local authorities
in the UK. The airport is average, but the beauracracy is ridiculous, slow and
cumbersome. By the time you get out of the airport you are just fed up, tired and
want a shower and a meal.
Goa Dabolim
Airport by Trevor Hunt
23
May 2005
Goa is certainly a most refreshing place from the rest of India. However the same nonsense that has
taken over the airports in Mumbai and Delhi have infested this place. Not as bad
though. The officers
are mush more friendly. If I had to choose where to take my International flights to the UK ,I would
prefer to take it from here, rather that any other Indian Airports.
Goa Dabolim
Airport by James Williamson
8
May 2005
Goa and the Goans are lovely but the airport at Dabolim must be the worst which I have encountered
anywhere in the world. The bureaucracy is incredible and I am sure does not help the security
situation in any way. Two hours from plane to taxi with at least ten officials looking at papers!
Goa Dabolim
Airport by Chris Penfold
12
April 2005
Goa is a small Naval Airport which serves the package holiday firms from the UK and several domestic
airlines. Arrived on the 26th April on Excel airways flight 350 from Gatwick and having struggled
with the immigration procedures which proved not to difficult had to wait a long time for our
baggage as there are only two baggage belts.
You have to keep an eye on the porters who take the luggage off the belts prior to you getting your
hands on it then try to charge you for getting it back. Having found a trolley they then pass you
from pillar to post and each and every one wants a cut of the action at about £2 a time. Being a bit
green I think it cost me £10 to get out of the airport and to my taxi. They won't catch me next time
so beware, make sure that the one who takes your case takes you all the way to your holiday Rep and
puts your cases on the provided transport. On the return you have to get your case scanned prior to
going to the checkin desks and show your tickets to get in the door, Once checked in, Immigration
and Customs are a bit of a free for all and if you have your boarding pass stamped once they must do
it 4/5 times. I will congratulate them on the securities procedures as they scanned each person
with a wand and the ladies were given a special area out of sight of the men. The airport is old and
basic but is reasonably clean but the food options are limited. On the whole not to bad but would
want to spend several hours there on a delay.
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