AP: Praful Patel to inaugurate India Aviation

Hyderabad, Sep 30: Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel will inaugurate the first-ever International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation, ''India Aviation 2008'' at Begumpet airport here on October 15.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy would be the chief guest at the conference, in which eminent speakers from the aviation sector across the world would deliver address.

Jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India Aviation will showcase the development of Civil Aviation industry.

The event will highlight the history, growth and present stature of Indian Civil Aviation, according to a release here.

The opening ceremony will be supplemented with spectacular fly-past by Surya Kiran and Sarang helicopters from Indian Air Force, followed by para-sailing, para-jumping and hot air ballooning by Aero Club of India. One new Airbus 319 would be inducted to Air India fleet, coinciding with the closure of the inaugural function.

Another highlight will be the arrival of the largest passenger aircraft in the world, Airbus A-380 from France. The aircraft, which can cover 3/4th of a football ground, will be on both static and flying display at the event.

An exclusive open house inter-active session between Civil Aviation Minister and 35 CEOs from major Aviation companies on that day will provide an opportunity to the CEOs to discuss their future plan and policy issues before the Minister and senior officials of the Aviation Ministry.

Civil Aviation Ministerial delegations from 25 countries were invited to participate in the event.

An International Conference on Civil Aviation, with panel discussions by eminent aviation experts and industry leaders from more than 20 countries will be held on October 16 to bring into focus the cutting edge issues in aviation sector and help to prepare a roadmap for future development of aviation in the country.

Airfield area will display 37 international and domestic aircrafts from A380 to Pushpak, the smallest plane. There will be daily flying display and customer demonstration flights from 0930 to 1700 hrs. The exhibition would be open to public on October 18.

More than 150 exhibitors from leading aviation and allied industries from around the world would participate in the event, the release added.

UNI