WATCH: Mumbai Air Show 2024 Paints Skies Red, Flight And Air Traffic Affected

The "Mumbai Air Show" was initiated by the Indian Air Force over Marine Drive on January 12 as part of an outreach program designed to generate awareness and foster a stronger connection between the IAF and the local community. The aerial display by the IAF, conducted in collaboration with the Maharashtra Government led by Eknath Shinde, is scheduled to conclude on January 14.

Mumbai Air Show: 'Painting the skies red'

The air show features demonstrations by the Suryakiran Aerobatic Display Team (SKAT) and the 'Sarang' Helicopter display team.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the Sarang Helicopter display team wrote, "Sarangs painting the Mumbai skies red!"

The statement announcing the show mentioned that the aerobatic displays would also include a broad spectrum of aerial activities, encompassing a fly-past and low-level aerobatic display by the Su-30 MKI, freefall and parachute displays by the 'Akashganga' team and C-130 aircraft. Established in 1996, the Suryakiran aerobatic team has been designated as a brand ambassador for the Indian Air Force. It is affiliated with the 52nd Squadron of the Air Force and is composed of 12 pilots who operate Hawk MK 132 aircraft.

Further, a video of the IAF was posted on Maharashtra Tourism's Instagram account, inviting people to "Get ready to witness a spectacular aerial display by the Indian Air Force in coordination with the Government of Maharashtra." After its first display on Friday, the Suryakiran aerobatic team also posted on its Instagram handle 'suryakiran_iaf' and mentioned, "Back again in the city of dreams "Aamchi Mumbai" after 20 years."

Mumbai Airport Partially Shut for Airshow

For three days, from January 12 to January 14, two runways at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will be closed from 12 pm to 1 pm. Taking to the microblogging site X, CSMIA wrote, "The Indian Air Force has planned an Aerial Display exercise at Mumbai. Due to this, Mumbai's CSMIA runways (RWY 09/27 and 14/32) will remain non-operational from 12:00 hrs to 13:00 hrs on 12th, 13th and 14th January 2024."

A passenger advisory has been issued by the airport authority, urging passengers to verify their scheduled flights with their respective airlines before heading to the airport during these days, and expressing appreciation for their cooperation.