Bengaluru: The mega air show Aero India 2019 has kick-started on Wednesday. The 12th edition, the will be held from February 20 to 24 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, is expected to showcase various aerospace and defence technologies.

The show, whose tagline is ‘Runway to a billion opportunities’, will see participation from 51 countries and 61 aircraft.

The Aero India 2019 is bigger and better as the number of exhibitors has almost doubled this year with 403 participating compared to 214 in 2017. Interestingly, number of Indian exhibitors have seen a sharp rise of 80%. This year 238 are participating compared to132 in 2017. Even international participation has increased by 101%.

There will be 51 participating countries with large delegations from USA, UK, Russia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, UAE, China, France, Bangladesh and Nigeria.

Also read: Aero India 2019: Team Sarang steals show at rehearsals in Bengaluru

The participants are all major public sector undertaking like (PSUs) DRDO, BRAHMOS, HAL, OFB, BEL, BDL, MIDHANI, ISRO, AAI, etc.

The first three days of the event are reserved for business activities and the general public can enjoy the show on the last two days. The ministry of defence (MoD) has launched a mobile application which will provide every information to visitors, local public, exhibitors, media and officials. Interested people can also book tickets with the help of the mobile application.

Also read: Aero India 2019: Aero India 2019: 'Drone Olympics' to be highlight of air show

Schedule 

  • Wednesday 20th February – Inauguration & Business Day
     
  • Thursday 21st February - Start up Day
     
  • Friday 22nd February -Technology Day
     
  • Saturday 23rd February - Women's Day
     
  • Sunday 24th February - Valedictory Day

 
Tickets prices

For Indian visitors, the ticket can be bought for Rs 600, while for foreigners it is $25, i.e. Rs 1,780. These tickets do not allow the holder to enter the exhibition area where the aircraft are on display. Business visitor tickets can be bought for Rs 2,750 for Indians and $50, i.e. Rs 3,561 for foreigners. For children under five, the entry is free.

Where and how to buy tickets

The tickets can be booked on the BookMyShow app or on the Aero India official website www.aeroindia.gov.in.

Timings of the show

The general visitors will have no entry on the first two days (i.e. 20 and 21 February). However, they will be allowed to enter the venue in the afternoon, after 2 pm and enjoy the aerial display.

From February 22 to 24, the gates will be opened for the general public in the morning at 9.30 am. The visitors can enjoy the two sessions of flying display, one from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm and another from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. The event will end at 5.30 pm.

First time at Aero India

  • Highest number of aircraft (61 planes, according to IAF) participating
     
  • Airbus 330 Neo
     
  • Airbus C-295 Transport Jet
     
  • NAL-Saras, Regional Transport Aircraft
     
  • HAL- HTT- 40 Basic trainer
     
  • HAL- LUH
     
  • Vintage Display
     
  • B-52 Bomber, Boeing
     
  • Dakota

What will be on display?

There will be flying aerobatic displays on all four days by world's top aerobatics teams including the Helicopter Dhruv-powered Sarang Team of Indian Air Force, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI (cobra manoeuvre), the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and US air force's Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. Dassault Aviation will also be showing off the Rafale fighter jet both in a flying sortie and static display.

Moreover, the show will also have a display of Indian-made helicopters, fighter jets, drones, transport carriers (Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III), and even private jets such as Embraer SA for business enterprise owners.

The Aero India 2019 will also host Drone Olympics for start-ups and young adults on Day 2 (21 February) in the afternoon, for the first time ever.