Wings India 2026: Begumpet Airport Transforms Into Public Spectacle Of Stunts And Song
“What a spectacle it was to watch Thaikkudam Bridge perform live with Usha Uthup in front of parked commercial aircraft at this historic airport, while the Mark Jeffery team flew aerobatics overhead”: A Visitor
HYDERABAD: On its third day on Friday, Wings India 2026 opened to the general public, turning the venue of Begumpet airport into a shared civic space where aviation, music and people occupied the same ground.
Families queued from early morning to see aircraft on display up close, students were seen around stalls on careers and engineering, and the evening programme leaned into popular appeal with a live performance by Usha Uthup alongside Thaikkudam Bridge.
“What a spectacle it was to watch Thaikkudam Bridge perform live with Usha Uthup in front of parked commercial aircraft at this historic airport, while the Mark Jeffery team flew aerobatics overhead,” said Arijit, a visitor and a longtime Thaikkudam Bridge fan.
Across the day, the scale of public interest was clear as long lines moved through barricaded entry points as school groups, aviation students and families made their way toward the static aircraft display.
A group of 15 to 20 students from Laksh International School said the visit made aviation careers feel real rather than abstract. “This was really inspiring. The aerobatics show makes me want to join Surya Kiran someday,” Farhan, a student said, explaining that meeting professionals mattered as much as seeing aircraft. Another added, “I met a few European aeronautical engineers, they explained how things work in the background, it was amazing!”
Students from Saraswathi Shishu Mandir were among the school groups that visited. Ramesh, the school principal who accompanied 35 students from Classes 9 and 10, said the visit gave them a sense of what aviation careers look like outside textbooks.
“It is a nice experience and the students get real life experience. Maybe some students will go to the aviation side,” he said. One of the students said the flying display left a strong impression. “They were doing stunts in the air. It was very good,” she said, adding, “When we were listening to the information, we were dreaming. We also want to build our career in the aerospace industry.”
That energy also brought pressure on crowd comfort as the venue filled up. Movement slowed near the performance area by late afternoon and seating was limited. Venkatesham, 77, who came with his granddaughter hoping to watch Usha Uthup, said the arrangements were difficult for older visitors. “I can barely see her. I had to somehow get a chair. People are sitting on the road and everything is so barricaded that it does not feel nice,” he said.
