Metal birds put up impressive display at Aero India rehearsals, Suryakirans steal show

BENGALURU: The final rehearsals of air display were held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station on Thursday ahead of the Aero India 2025 air show which will be held from February 10-14.

Special invitees and family members of officials were allowed to witness the final rehearsals which included fighter jets and helicopters from different countries. The Suryakiran aerobatics team of the Indian Air Force received huge applause from the crowd for their daring manoeuvres.

The Suryakiran team, which flies nine Hawk Mk 132 jets, performed loops and barrel rolls, defying gravity. The Suryakirans are the only aerobatics team in Asia and are counted among the best in the world. The 14 pilots of the team have put up over 700 performances in the country and have displayed their professionalism in China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and UAE.

Other aircraft on show were the Su-57 and F-35 fighter jets, the Sarang helicopter display team, Boeing KC 135 Stratotanker, C130 transport aircraft, Tejas MkII among others.

In view of the air show rehearsals, slow-moving traffic was seen from Hebbal towards Yelahanka. Traffic was heavy despite alternate routes being announced.

Meanwhile, the city traffic police have made some traffic diversions in view of Aero India 2025. Traffic will move in one direction on Nitte Meenakshi College roadn and Bagalur main road while parking has been arranged for the air show visitors at the GKVK campus.

Those visiting the air show from the eastern parts of the city are to take the route from KR Pura-Bagalur-Hennur Cross-Kothanur-Gubbi Cross-Kannur AK Palya-Vidyanagar Cross-Hunasamaranahalli.

Vehicles coming from the west are to take Goraguntepalya-Major Unnikrishnan Road-BEL Circle-Gangamma Circle-MS Palya Circle-Mother Dairy Junction-Doddaballapur Road-Nagenahalli Gate-Gantiganahalli Circle route.

Vehicles coming from the south are to the route from Mysuru Road-Nayandahalli-Chandra Layout-Goraguntepalya-BEL Circle-Gangamma Circle-MS Palya Circle, Mother Dairy Junction-MajorUnnikrishnan junction-Doddaballapur Road-Nagenahalli gate.

Movement of trucks, buses and other goods vehicles will be restricted between Mehkri Circle and MVT Cross on Ballari Road, from Goraguntepalya, Hebbala and Hennur Cross, from Nagawara Junction to Reva College and Hessarghatta to Chikkabanavara.