India's first civilian air show in Hyderabad on Oct 15

New Delhi, Sep 29 (UNI) India's first civilian air show will kick off at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad on October 15.

''Hyderabad is the right place to host the show as it has the requisite facilities, and with some minor modifications it will become the permanent venue for the show to be held every two years,'' Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters.

''This time the show is being held in October, but from 2010 it will be held in February like the military air show in Bangalore,'' Mr Patel said.

He said the event would be on a par with the Paris Air Show and the London's Farnborough International Airshow.

''I have been to Hyderabad ten days ago to oversee the arrangements and will go there again in the first week of October,'' he added.

The US will be the partner country for the show as it is the largest manufacturer and provider in the aviation sector, he said.

More than 150 exhibitors from leading aviation and allied industries from around the world will participate in the event, 'India Aviation 2008', to be jointly organised by the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) from October 15-18.

Civil aviation ministerial delegations from 25 countries have been invited to participate in the event, aimed at providing a platform for various aviation industries to forge partnership alliances.

The exhibitors will include Airbus, Boeing, EADS, HAL, BEL, Rolls Royce, Engine Alliance, Cessna Aircraft Company, Bell Helicopter Textron, ATR and Bombardier.

As many as 37 international and domestic aircraft from Airbus' A-380, the biggest, to Pushpak, the smallest, will be on display.

Airbus A-380, which can cover 3/4th of a football ground, will be on both static and flying display at the event.

Also on display will be Boeing 787, Airbus 240-400, Learjet, Global Express, Challenger, CRJ900, Gulfstream, Illusion, Hawkerbeechcrafts, Cessnas and helicopters.

On the first day, Air India will take the delivery of A 319 and Kingfisher the delivery of 345-500 aircraft, Mr Patel said.

The opening ceremony will be supplemented with spectacular fly-past by Surya Kiran and Sarang helicopters from Indian Air Force, followed by parasailing, para jumping and hot air ballooning by Aero Club of India.

An exclusive open house inter active session between the Minister and a congregation of more than 35 CEOs from major aviation companies on October 15 would provide an opportunity to the CEOs to discuss their future plan and policy issues.

A theme pavilion showcasing the past, present and future of Indian Civil Aviation will welcome the visitors at the Exhibition Venue. Rare photographs and models would be on display.

The International Conference on Civil Aviation, with panel discussions by eminent aviation experts and industry leaders from more than 20 countries, is scheduled for October 16.

UNI YJ Mir RK1933