Two charter flights with Iranian tourists arrive ahead of Navroz

Panaji: Coinciding with the Iranian festival of Navroz, also known as the Persian New Year, two charter flights landed at Dabolim airport with 280 tourists from Iran. The first flight, operated by Qeshm Air, touched down at around 6.50pm on Tuesday, and the second flight, operated by Iran AirTour, at 10.30pm.

A total of seven charter flights from Iran are expected this season, said Airports Authority of India officials. The flights will be operated by Qeshm Air and Iran AirTour, with Qeshm Air operating four flights to Goa and Iran AirTour operating three.

“Two flights arrived for the Navroz holidays from Iran. We have 140 passengers coming on the first flight and a similar capacity on the second. There will be three flights till March 24, another flight from March 24 to 30, and the last flight from March 30 to April 4.

The passengers were welcomed with garlands, roses, a cake-cutting ceremony, and a gift. “AAI, Goa International Airport, Dabolim, is excited to celebrate the arrival of the first tourist charter flight from Iran Qeshm Air QSM2295! The tourists were extended a warm welcome with rose buds and a cake-cutting ceremony, ambient with a traditional Goan band performance,” said airport director George Varughese.

Officials from Goa Tourism Development Corporation and other senior officials from AAI were present to receive the passengers. Given that Goa is currently sweltering under heatwave conditions, it was no surprise that some passengers said they found the weather humid.

“This is the first time that I have come to Goa. My family and I are very excited to be here in India for the Navroz holiday,” Nargis, a tourist from Iran, said.