Do not shift Aero India show venue, CM urges PM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to shift the venue of Aero India Show to be held in 2016, from Bengaluru.

A section of the media had reported that the next Aero India Show would be held in Goa. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who belongs to Goa, may support such move.

In his letter to the prime minister, Siddaramaiah has said that at the international level, there is a reasonably fixed calendar for air-shows and moving it to a different location would be counter-productive. Globally, in spite of extensive air traffic, these events are continued at the same venue due to the development of a conducive eco-system.

Recalling the history of aero show, the chief minister said that the show has been held in Bengaluru since its inception in 1996. Bengaluru is a well-known hub for aerospace industries and Aero India show. While in the first show, as many as 176 exhibitors from 22 countries participated, in the 10th edition in February this year, nearly 323 foreign companies and 300 domestic firms participated.

The aero show is held biennially in Bengaluru, which is considered as the aviation capital of India due to the presence of some of the leading aviation companies and organisations. Karnataka is developing an aerospace park in 1,000 acres near Devanahalli. The City is geared to provide all the facilities required for the event.“In this backdrop, I request that the aero show should continue to be held in Bengaluru in the interest of the country’s aviation future,” the chief minister stated.