Au revoir, Aero India: Bengaluru bids goodbye to its biennial aero show
Bengaluru (PTI): As soon as they entered, as if on cue, the crowd made a beeline to the stands from where they could get a better view of the aerial stunts on the final day of Aero India 2025 on Friday.
Their efforts were paid off: the pilots put on a breathtaking show. They rolled the aircraft, zigged and zagged them, flipped them over, and hovered vertically in them before dropping them down full speed, cutting through the sky like a bomb, only to flip them up back again. The daredevilry drew a collective gasp from the crowd.
The penultimate show at 10.30 am displayed the might of 10 aircraft, including the popular Russian aircraft Su-57 and the American F-16, Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL)’s LUH, HTT-40, LCA Mk-1A and IJT, Indian Air Force (IAF)’S Su-30 MKI and nine HAWKs manoeuvred by the famous The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL)’s Hansa and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s FTB.
In final aerial display, scheduled for 2.30 pm on Friday, which would also showcase 10 aircraft, American F-16 would be replaced with another American aircraft, KC-135.
Meanwhile, the exhibitors, thanks to the fifth-day fatigue and the pressing crowd, were seen putting their things together already, waiting to leave as soon as they can.
But mostly, the exhibitors were a happy lot.
Siddhant Singh Chauhan, Senior Manager, Business Communications of Boeing said he was thrilled because Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had stopped by Boeing stall on the inaugural day.
Chauhan said he also was happy with the response that the Boeing’s AI-driven presentation got. In what looked like a scene from sci-fi movie, people learnt about Boeing’s product portfolio in a sensor-activated transparent screen with the flick of their hands.
Vasilii Fainveits, CEO, CTO & Founder of Latvia-based Fixar, a software and aircraft design developing firm, said he found a perfect partner in Hyderabad-based Aksi Aerospace Group.
With their help, said Fainveits, he would be able to scale up the production of his 'luxury' drone Fixar 007, a fully autonomous, vertical take off and landing drone, giving them the advantage of pricing it cost effectively.
"We are also planning to name the drone Shiv, as a nod to one of my good friends who passed away recently and who happened to be Indian,” said Fainvveits to PTI.
Arjun Naik, Founder and CEO of Scandron, a Bengaluru-based logistics and surveillance drone manufacturer, who launched his 200-kg capacity logistic drone during Aero India 2025, felt the heat most as his drones were displayed right by the hangar, where the roar of the aircraft was almost a constant background noise.
“You get used to it, believe me,” Naik insisted to PTI, even as visitors to his stall instinctively closed their ears whenever flights roared past them.
Stalls displaying crowd-favourite things — like military outfits and SKAT souvenirs — were filled to the brim even on the last day. Especially SKAT souvenir stall, as has been the case on all days, saw a swell in the crowd every time the famous aerial acrobats put up a show.
While the first three days were meant for industry visitors, Thursday and Friday were open to the public. Despite the crowd the final began efficiently, and the security was oiled enough to make sure that the crowd were kept moving to prevent pile-ups at any point.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Bengaluru traffic. Despite a horde of traffic cops braving the pollution and heat, vehicles piled up. 'X' handle of Bengaluru Post, a hyper-local podcast spotlighting Bengaluru, reported with video that the spillover from Airport Road traffic choked the inner roads in Kodigehalli, Amruthahhalli and Jakkur.
More than 500 delegates from 84 countries, including foreign guests, Defence Ministers and service chiefs have participated in Aero India 2025, the biennial show that has emerged as Asia’s largest.
This year saw 931 exhibitors, including 782 Indians. This also included 58 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and 115 global CEOs.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
