Revised timings for flight operations at KIA from February 14-24

Air traffic over Yelahanka, north of Bengaluru, has started thickening a week ahead of Aero India 2019, the 12th edition of the country's military and civil air show.

On Wednesday, three Rafale fighter jets of the French Air Force landed in a row at dusk at Air Force Station Yelahanka, building up the tenor for the five-day show that opens on February 20. An IAF officer at the air base informed that the three aircraft landed around 6.30 p.m.

Many more Indian and foreign planes taking part in either static or flying display will start arriving over the next couple of days, he said.

There has been much anticipation over these French birds. The IAF's own arsenal of Mirage-2000s, MiG-21s and a vintage Dakota have already arrived. A briefing and familiarisation of the air space will be held on February 15 after which the metal birds will start practising for the air spectacle, the officer said.

The full dress rehearsal will be held on Monday, down to the VVIP arrivals two days later.

"Over the next 10 days, the skies over NH 7 and the Yelahanka air base will really get noisy with a lot of traffic bound for Aero India," said another person close to the development.

About nine nautical miles further up (some 16 km by road), civil air traffic restrictions will come into force at the Kempegowda International Airport from February 14 to 24. In January, the airport announced that the runway would be partially closed to accommodate aerial displays.

The Ministry of Defence, which organises Bengaluru's international air show every odd year, lists 61 aircraft that have booked for flying or static display. Among them are the aircraft of the IAF, those being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., DRDO-ADA, CSIR-NAL. US company Boeing will be bringing in civil and military planes, Europe’s Airbus 330-900neo and an entry from Ukraine are part of the show.

The Rafales are special to India for more than one reason. The Indian government has signed a contract to purchase 36 Rafales from their maker, Dassault Aviation, for the air force. The fighters have also been in the spotlight over the mechanism of the September 2016 contract as also its offsets or benefits accruing to Indian industry.

The first Rafale that is being customised for the IAF is due to be delivered in September this year, and the full lot by 2022.

Revised timings for flight operations

Kempegowda International Airport has announced revised timings for flight operations starting February 14.

From February 14 to February 17, the civil air space will be closed from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. to make way for the hordes of planes landing at the Yelahanka air base.

On February 18 and 19, it will be closed from 10 a.m. to noon; and again from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. as the flying participants rehearse in the adjoining air space.

On the inaugural day February 20, it would be closed from 9 a.m. to noon; and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

During February 21-24, it would be closed from 10 a.m. to noon; and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.