TRAVELERS LOOKING TO FLY into India’s western state of Goa will find only a few real options. Most major flights fly into Mumbai (BOM), where travelers can often find passage to Goa relatively easily. Dabolim International Airport (GOI), India’s 10th-busiest, proves the best option for direct flights into Goa.

Vasco da Gama, the closest city to the airport, lies about 2.5 miles away, but Dabolim’s days as the state’s major airport are numbered. Currently, the airport acts as a civilian airport and military airbase. In 2020 construction on a new airport will begin in Mopa, about 30 miles north of Dabolim. Upon completion of the new airport, GOI will mainly service military operations.

In the meantime, Dabolim International employs two terminals. The first, constructed with the airport in 1983, handles all domestic traffic. The second terminal, built in 1996, handles international travel. As it stands now, no matter where you travel from Goa, security screening takes large amounts of time thanks to the military’s use of the airport. From 2017 to 2018, 7,607,249 passengers used the airport on more than 50,000 flights.

Dabolim International serves 15 regional and international airlines. Air India, Air Asia, Finnair and Qatar Airways list among the most notable airlines operating out of the airport. Seasonally, Thomas Cook Airlines and TUI Airways transport passengers during Goa’s peak tourism season.

The actual infrastructure of the airport is relatively utilitarian. Both terminals offer currency exchange stations, making it easy for arriving or departing travelers to quickly obtain appropriate funds. Duty-free shops, taxi counters and other airport mainstays make travel through Goa a cinch for the well-seasoned traveler.

However, the airport lacks options for meals. Plenty of places sell snacks, coffee, and other small bites, but few serve food to really quell hunger pangs. Passengers who find the experience especially stressful will be happy to learn the airport features a spa, allowing for total relaxation before a flight. Also, keep in mind the strict timing rules the airport enforces. Travelers flying internationally must reach check-in four hours before takeoff, while domestic travelers must reach security with two hours remaining.

The new airport, scheduled for completion in 2021, will span 666,900 square feet and accommodate up to 4 million passengers per year, with the potential to grow in following years. In addition, the new airport will feature state-of-the-art security systems and separate terminals for cargo.