[1]Bengaluru: The first day of the five-day Aero India show for the public drew a strong crowd with over 40,000 people visiting the Yelahanka Air Force Station on Saturday, braving the blazing sun and traffic congestion on Bellary Road to reach the venue.
Long queues greeted visitors at the Air Force Station and they had wait for long to get through the security checks before they entered the air view display area.
While the crowd was enthralled by the air display by mean machines, the static display area too attracted many. On the first public day of the air show on Saturday, the Rafale on static display drew in many who posed for pictures with the aircraft while Israeli, Russian and French pavilions drew aviation enthusiasts.
After watching the flight displays in the scorching heat, people thronged the air-conditioned pavilions and exhibition stalls. Some were even seen keenly interacting with the foreign delegates in the stalls for information on products that were displayed.
Many visitors complained about poor audio systems and lack of shade. “We have been trying to hear the commentary, but due to poor sound system, it’s not possible. There are also lesser number of garbage bins and many spectators chose to drop garbage in the display area,” said a viewer.
“I am missing the Suryakirans. The performances of both the Russian Knights and the Flying Bulls together could not match the magic of Suryakirans,” said Mr Ram Kapoor, and employee of Ernst & Young India.
Unlike the previous edition, no celebrities were spotted in this edition as yet. The 2011 show brought business tycoon Ratan Tata, cricketer M.S. Dhoni, actors Shahid Kapoor and Suriya to Yelahanka.
Traffic congestion continued to haunt visitors and those going to the airport on Saturday. Traffic was held up at Kogilu Cross for more than one hour, just before the morning flight display began.
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