About the airport
Seven decades in the making
From a Portuguese-era airstrip to a Coast Guard air station, and now Daman's new civilian gateway.
History
A long runway story
Daman's airfield was originally built in the 1950s under Portuguese India. In August 1955, the Portuguese India Airlines (TAIP) began flying from Daman, linking it with Goa, Diu, and Karachi. Those flights ended in December 1961, when Daman was taken over by the Indian Armed Forces and TAIP's operations ceased.
For decades afterward, the airfield served defence purposes. The Indian Coast Guard stationed its first Dornier squadron here in January 1987 and established a full Air Station later that year, which continues to provide maritime reconnaissance and search-and-rescue coverage along the northwest coast, alongside adventure aviation activities using microlight aircraft and a power glider.
On 5 June 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Daman's new civil terminal — locally referred to as NAMO Airport — built at a cost of roughly ₹97 crore under the Government of India's UDAN regional connectivity scheme. Commercial passenger flights are scheduled to begin on 16 July 2026.
Facility
Airport at a glance
Codes & location
- IATA
- NMB
- ICAO
- VADN
- Location
- Marwad, Daman
- Territory
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Operator
- Indian Coast Guard Air Station Daman (civil terminal shared use)
Runways & navaids
- Main runway
- 03/21 — 1,801 m × 45 m, asphalt
- Secondary runway
- 10/28 — 1,001 m × 25 m, asphalt
- Navaids
- ASR, PAPI, DVOR-DME, NDB
Why it matters
Connecting Daman to the rest of India
Daman is known for its beaches, Portuguese colonial architecture, forts, and churches. Air connectivity is expected to bring more weekend and short-holiday travellers from Mumbai and Ahmedabad, while also improving access for business travel to the Vapi industrial belt just across the border in Gujarat.
Tourism
Quicker access to Daman's coastline and heritage sites for short trips from major cities.
Industry
Better connectivity for professionals and investors moving between Daman and the Vapi manufacturing hub.
Regional growth
Part of India's UDAN scheme to expand regional air connectivity to under-served areas.