Hyderabad air show attracting global participation
13 Sep 2008
New Delhi: India's own non-military air show is scheduled to get off the ground next month at Hyderabad, and is witnessing massive participation from global aviation companies.
Global players such as Airbus, Boeing, Roll Royce, Bell Helicopter, Embraer, ATR, Bombardier and Eurocopter are said to be participating in the Hyderabad air show, the venue for which will be the old airport at Beghumpet.
The Beghumpet airport was closed for commercial traffic, and is presently used only for private, defence and VVIP aircraft, subsequent to the commissioning of the new terminal at Shamshabad.
For its participation, Airbus is said to be bringing its A380, marking the mammoth's second visit to India, after its May visit to Mumbai and Delhi. Reports in the media suggest that a team of technical officers from Toulouse, France will work with the DGCA and the AAI to see if the oversized A380 can touch down at the Beghumpet airport.
Amongst the precautions to be taken are that the green patch that runs alongside both sides of the runway is free of small stones, pebbles and similar objects, as the thrust generated by the A380's engines can turn these objects into airborne projectiles.
Though the A380 is pitted to be a show stealer if it manages to touchdown for the India Aviation Week that will take place between 15 – 18 October, Airbus will also fly in its first A-340 long range plane for delivery to Kingfisher Airlines, and an A-319 for Air India's domestic operations.
Air India will display the Boeing's B-777 that recently joined its fleet. The helicopter firms are also said to be bringing in their best wares, given potential orders from India's defence establishment. The IAF is reported to be putting on display its fighter jets during the event.
The participation of the big names of the industry exudes confidence in the revival of the Indian aviation industry from the current crisis, and clearly the global aviation industry is anticipation some action from India in the aviation space.
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