Panaji, Jul 5 (IANS): Goa's Dabolim International Airport has been earmarked as an additional port of call for commercial planes from Oman, Goa's commissioner for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) affairs Eduardo Faleiro said Tuesday.

Earlier, Goans travelling to and from Oman had to fly via Delhi and Mumbai airports. Making Goa an additional point of call would make travel to and from Oman simpler and shorter.

The development could end the travel woes of thousands of non-resident Goans (NRG) settled in Oman, who suffer from the lack of adequate flights from Muscat, the capital of Oman, to Goa, Faleiro said.

"Union Minister for Civil Aviation Vayalar Ravi has informed me that at the last round of bilateral air services consultations with Oman, Goa was granted an additional point of call for the airlines of Oman within the existing capacity entitlement of 11,550 seats per week," said Faleiro, a former union minister of state for external affairs.

Quoting a letter from Ravi to Goa's NRI commissioner's office, Faleiro said that following the bilateral air services consultations, Indian carriers were also entitled to fly to Oman from Dabolim airport.

"The development of Goa airport as an international destination is always foremost in the government's consideration and the matter will be further examined in consultation with concerned stakeholders for appropriate action," Ravi's letter states.

Over decades, several thousand Goans have out-migrated to Oman, especially seeking professional opportunities in the service industry as well as oil rigs.