Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Praful Patel, flagged off the inaugural Daman-Delhi-Daman flight from the newly operational NAMO Airport in Daman on Thursday, marking the Union Territory’s first-ever direct air connectivity with the national capital.
Operated by government-owned regional carrier Alliance Air, the inaugural flight marked a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to democratise air travel and integrate smaller cities into India’s rapidly expanding aviation network.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Union Territory Administration, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Alliance Air, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and local residents.
Daman’s First Direct Air Link
NAMO Airport, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a dual-purpose facility operating from the Indian Coast Guard Air Station (ICGAS), Daman. The foundation stone for the civil terminal was laid by PM Modi on April 25, 2023, while the airport was inaugurated on June 5, 2026.
Developed by the Union Territory Administration at a cost of ₹124 crore on a 25-acre site, the project received ₹88 crore in financial support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The 3,700-square-metre terminal currently has the capacity to handle 14 ATR flights daily and can serve approximately 3.67 lakh passengers annually.
‘Delhi Now Just 2.5 Hours Away’
Speaking at the inauguration, Naidu said the launch of the first direct flight had fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of the people of Daman.
“On this historic occasion, I extend my heartiest greetings to the people of Daman. With its first flight itself, Daman is getting directly connected to the national capital. Now instead of going through Surat or Mumbai and spending 8 to 10 hours, Delhi will be just 2.5 hours away from Daman. This has been possible with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s transformative UDAN Scheme,” he said.
The Minister added that over the past 12 years, more than 450 development projects worth over ₹13,000 crore have been implemented in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu under the Prime Minister’s leadership.
He said the people of Daman named the airport ‘NAMO Airport’ as a tribute to Prime Minister Modi’s vision and his efforts to fulfil the region’s long-pending demand for an airport.
Boost to Industry, Tourism and the Blue Economy
Highlighting the region’s industrial strength, Naidu said more than 7,000 industries operate across Daman, Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, while over 15,000 additional industries are located in the neighbouring districts of Vapi and Valsad. He said improved air connectivity would enhance ease of doing business, attract investments and generate new employment opportunities.
The Minister also underlined Daman’s tourism potential, noting that the Union Territory attracts nearly 20 lakh tourists every year. He said the new air connectivity is expected to significantly boost tourist arrivals.
Looking ahead, Naidu said the government plans to extend the airport’s runway to enable the operation of larger aircraft, including Airbus A320-type planes, and expand connectivity to cities such as Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad and Patna.
Referring to the success of Diu Airport, he said annual passenger traffic there has increased from just 19,000 in 2013 to more than one lakh passengers today. He added that the Ministry is planning a new terminal and a longer runway at Diu Airport to meet rising demand.
Highlighting the economic benefits of the project, the Minister said, “PM sir has connected Daman’s blue economy to immense possibilities of the blue sky. Daman’s fishery, marine products and food processing goods will now be able to reach any corner of the country within a few hours.”
He said the improved connectivity would benefit fishermen, open new markets for marine products and provide fresh momentum to the region’s pharmaceutical industry.
UDAN Expansion to Continue
Naidu also said 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, further strengthening India’s regional aviation network.
He also thanked the Indian Coast Guard for its support in making the NAMO Airport project a reality.
Praful Patel described the airport as a transformative project for western India’s industrial corridor.
“NAMO Airport will prove to be a game-changer for the entire industrial workforce belt stretching from Valsad in Gujarat to Palghar in Maharashtra, opening up new opportunities for the youth of this region. I am confident that within the next 15 years, we will see NAMO Airport, Daman, expand many times over, emerging as a game-changer for the region’s economy,” he said.
