The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Will civil aviation jamboree take sheen off Aero India?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Will civil aviation jamboree take sheen off Aero India?

Ravi Sharma

India Aviation 2008 to be held in Hyderabad from October 20 to 22
It will showcase the latest trends in the civil aviation sector

BANGALORE: The biennial Aero India air shows held under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka (Bangalore) have carved a niche for themselves in the international aerospace calendar with global players in both the civil and Defence sides making it a point to participate.

But come October an aerospace exhibition in Hyderabad could rob future Aero India shows of some of their sheen, specifically in the domain of civil aviation.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has acceded to a suggestion by the industry trade body, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), to hold a biennial air show to exclusively showcase the latest trends and opportunities in the Indian and global civil aviation sector.

“India Aviation 2008,” the three-day (October 20-22) civil aviation jamboree will be held at Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport (which has since April been closed for commercial traffic).

The MoCA has agreed to provide the airport free of any charges for the event.

Rs. 15-crore event

To be conducted by the FICCI under the aegis of the MoCA, the Rs. 15-crore budgeted event has attracted major global players in the civil aviation business — be it in aircraft and systems manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus, ATR, Embraer, Bombardier, or in the airport and airport infrastructure providers.

The FICCI has roped in the UK’s Farnborough International to promote the show internationally and has the United States as its country partner.

Focus

Deputy Director of the FICCI Rajan Kohli told The Hindu that with the focus of the Aero India shows being largely on Defence supplies and manufacturers, it was necessary to have an exclusive event showcasing strides in civil aviation. He said that the India Aviation shows will from their 2010 edition be held during February or March. This would allow a good 12-month gap between the Aero India events (which have a date in February) and their own event.

Though the Aero India shows (the last one had a budget in excess of Rs. 40 crore) largely cater to the Defence industry, the civil aviation industry has also been well showcased.

Aero India 2007 even witnessed an international conference on Indian (civil) Aviation: Overview and Outlook and had a sizeable representation from the civil aviation sector, including manufacturers and commercial airline operators.

Aviation experts feel that it is now unlikely that many of these participants would want to take part in the Aero India and India Aviation events.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka