HYDERABAD: Wings India 2018, the four-day aviation show currently on at the Begumpet Airport, lacks the glitz and glamour of its previous years. The show that is on from March 8-11, has been organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Wings India is the new avatar of the erstwhile hugely popular and much awaited annual event, India Aviation. But unfortunately, this year, the show had an apathetic start and on Saturday, its third day too, it remained lacklustre with a small and disgruntled crowd in its folds.
The visitors expressed discontent that there was no air show. Visitors were not allowed to enter the inner portions of the airport and a few of them got into an argument with the security personnel because of this. There was an entry fee of Rs 400 per person, but most visitors felt that the big-ticket did not justify the goodies the show offered, and that the organising of the show left a lot to be desired.
The crowd at the event.
Several stalls were empty, and some of them were closed on the third day itself. This included the Boeing stall which gave the visitors a VR experience on the first two days. A young resident of LB Nagar, who had come with his friends, said, “There were fewer aero stunts compared to previous years. I came along with my friends who are first-timers but I feel it was not worth the effort, standing as we were in the scorching sun. I am really disappointed.”
People were being allowed inside in two batches. From 10 am to 1:30 pm and from 2 pm to 5:30 pm. Some of the visitors had come from far off places like Siddipet and Guntur ad felt let down with the experience. M. Krishnan who had come with his family from Guntur said, “We spent Rs 400 per ticket and an additional Rs 50 for parking, but it was for nothing. Leave alone sitting inside the planes, security personnel are not even allowing us to go close to the compound wall. The aero-show is only for taking selfies which we could have done at the airport anyways.”
A few families complained that the food was also expensive, because of which they had to leave without eating. The show was planned essentially for the common man as frequent flyers may not be so enamoured by such shows. But the dismal projection of the event found very few takers. Only a few stalls attracted the crowds. Like the CSIR that allowed kids into the cockpit. Visitors are now hoping that at least on the closing day, the security is loosened a bit and people are allowed to explore further.
