Aero India 2025: Go-to show for the inquisitive, adventurous & the kid in you

Oohs and aahs rent the air at the Yelahanka air force station as the Aero India show opened for the public for the first time on Thursday, as the first three days of the event were devoted to the business end.

The first public day attracted people of all age groups from across the country.

Although the exact number was not immediately available, over 50,000 people witnessed the breathtaking aircraft manoeuvres in Bengaluru sky.

As many as 12 aircraft performed captivating manoeuvres to enthral the crowd in two sessions: 10 am and 2.30 pm.

Tumakuru-made light utility helicopter once again stole the show, leaving the audience spellbound as it performed rapid manoeuvres. As expected, the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT) was a major crowd-puller. The Russian Su-57 and IJT were also admired a great deal.

Deepanshu Saini, a resident of Rajasthan who was at the show with his brother, said, “The show exceeded all my expectations,” he said. Chetan Singhal, a techie from Bengaluru and aviation enthusiast, was exhilarated by seeing aircraft from the top three countries — India, the USA and Russia — showcasing their capabilities.

Security, hygiene

After the conclusion of the first three, security arrangements were scaled up and tightened to ensure smooth entry and exit for the public.

The crowd was able to enter the venue more quickly compared to the earlier days even though long queues at entry points were common.

The screening and frisking process remained thorough, with hundreds of lighters and matchboxes being confiscated.

Surprisingly, security personnel appeared more relaxed on Thursday. When some visitors tried to skip the lines, the staff quickly redirected them to the proper queue.

Despite the security measures, the venue, especially the food courts, were littered with plastic and waste.

Like every aero show, Bengaluru residents, particularly those living in the vicinity of Yelahanka and Doddaballapur, gathered at the Hunasamaranahalli lake tank bund to witness the biennial air display.

The static display area was busy with large crowds drawn to stalls showcasing cutting-edge air force and army technology.

An officer of the directorate of indigenisation noted that they answered far more questions from the public on Thursday than the first three days.

“People seemed particularly curious about the innovations and large machinery. The kids, in particular, were eager to know every detail,” the officer said.

Around 120 aeronautical engineering students from Maharashtra’s D Y Patil College visited the city as part of their educational tour to witness Aero India.

“We recently saw the SKAT performance in Pune, but it wasn’t as extensive as here. Even the stalls are very informative for us,” said student Japjee Kaur.

Valentine Day's gesture

Among the regular attendees were many young couples who came to watch the SKAT team create a heart shape in the sky.

“SKAT performing during Valentine’s week is a pleasant coincidence. Watching them draw a heart with my girlfriend made for a special moment,” said a resident from South Bengaluru.