Hyderabad to host India Aviation 2008, civilian version of Yelahanka

Hyderabad: Hyderabad will host ''India Aviation 2008,'' the first international exhibition on the civil aviation sector, in October next year. Begumpet airport will be the venue for the biennial air show, which will be conducted along the lines of the biennial Bangalore-based Yelahanka, defence air show. 

With all operations shifted to the new international airport at Shamshabad by mid-March 2008, Begumpet will be an ideal location for the air show.

According to government officials, the four-day event, beginning October 15, 2008, would provide a perfect business platform for aviation companies to leverage on the booming aviation sector in India.
 
A joint statement issued by the ministry of civil aviation and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), joint organisers of India Aviation 2008, said that Hyderabad is well connected to all international destinations, has a strong presence of IT companies and many star hotels.

According to the statement, Farnborough International Limited of UK would be the overseas partner for the event.
 
The exhibitors'' profile would include aircraft, aircraft machinery and equipment. It would also include aircraft interiors, airlines, airline services and air cargo, education, training and skill development, airport infrastructure and airport city side developers.

Passenger traffic in India has grown by 27.2 per cent and cargo traffic by 11.2 per cent during 2006-07. Aircraft movement has increased by 27.5 per cent. India is likely to purchase 500 civilian aircraft by 2020, going up to 1,000 when the current fleet is replaced.

In totality, all this represents an $80 billion business opportunity for companies involved in aircraft manufacture, machinery, maintenance, etc.