NAMO Airport News: Union Minister Rammohan Naidu Flags Off First Direct Flight from Daman
NAMO Airport News
Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu officially flagged off the inaugural Daman–Delhi–Daman flight from the newly operational NAMO Airport in Daman, marking a historic milestone for the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. The service, operated by Alliance Air, provides Daman with its first-ever direct air connection to the national capital.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Praful Patel, Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu, along with senior officials from the Union Territory Administration, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Alliance Air, the Indian Coast Guard, and local residents. The launch of the Delhi–Daman route is expected to significantly improve connectivity for residents, businesses, and tourists. Until now, passengers travelling between Daman and Delhi had to use nearby airports in Surat or Mumbai, making the journey take nearly 8 to 10 hours. With the new direct flight, the travel time has been reduced to approximately 2.5 hours.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister Rammohan Naidu said the new service fulfills a long-standing demand of the people of Daman and reflects the success of the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NAMO Airport is a dual-purpose airport operating from the Indian Coast Guard Air Station (ICGAS) in Daman. The civil terminal’s foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 25, 2023, and the airport was officially inaugurated on June 5, 2026.
The airport has been developed by the Union Territory Administration at a cost of ₹124 crore on a 25-acre site. The Ministry of Civil Aviation contributed ₹88 crore toward the project. The modern terminal building covers 3,700 square metres and currently has the capacity to handle 14 ATR aircraft movements per day with an annual passenger capacity of around 3.67 lakh travelers.
The minister highlighted that the new airport would strengthen economic growth in the region. Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli together are home to more than 7,000 industries, while neighboring Vapi and Valsad have over 15,000 industries. Improved air connectivity is expected to make business travel easier, attract fresh investments, improve logistics, and create new employment opportunities for local youth. Faster transport will also support industrial expansion and strengthen the region’s manufacturing sector.
Tourism is another sector expected to benefit significantly from the airport. Around 20 lakh tourists visit Daman every year, and officials believe this number will increase with direct air connectivity. The minister said that Daman will now become more accessible to travelers from across India, making weekend tourism and business travel much more convenient.
Rammohan Naidu also announced plans to further expand NAMO Airport in the future. The government aims to extend the runway so that larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320 can operate from Daman. This would allow direct flights to additional cities including Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, and Patna.
He also referred to the success of Diu Airport, where annual passenger traffic has increased from 19,000 in 2013 to more than one lakh passengers today. The government is now planning a larger terminal and runway expansion at Diu Airport as well.
The Civil Aviation Minister said the airport would provide new opportunities for Daman’s blue economy, particularly the fisheries sector. Marine products, seafood, and processed food items will now be transported to markets across India much more quickly through air cargo services. He added that improved connectivity would also benefit the pharmaceutical industry and other local businesses by reducing transportation time and improving access to national markets.
The minister also announced that the UDAN Scheme has been extended for another 10 years. Under the modified scheme, the government has allocated ₹29,000 crore to develop 100 new airports and 200 new helipads across the country over the next decade. The expansion aims to strengthen regional aviation, improve connectivity to smaller cities, and make air travel more affordable for millions of people.
Administrator Praful Patel described NAMO Airport as a game-changer for the region. He expressed confidence that the airport would become a major driver of economic growth and industrial development over the next 15 years.
With the launch of the first direct flight to Delhi, NAMO Airport has officially placed Daman on India’s aviation map. The new service is expected to improve connectivity, promote tourism, support industries, create jobs, and contribute to the long-term development of the Union Territory while advancing the government’s vision of expanding regional air connectivity across the country.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
