crown

Subscribe Now

FOLLOW US

Sign in

Photos: Amid tributes, Aero India 2019 mesmerises spectators in Bengaluru

After Tuesday’s mishap, wherein Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi lost his life in a mid-air collission while rehearsing for the Aero India air show, aircrafts paid tribute to the late commander through different formations as the show kicked off on Wednesday. Various aircrafts from the Indian Air Force like Tejas, Sukoi, etc. maneuvred in the sky at the Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru, the venue for the show. Enthralling stunts were performed by different aerobatics teams at the five-day show that will last till February 24.

Updated on: Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM IST

Share via

Copy link

1/13

Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi aircraft, flanked by a Jaguar and an LCA Tejas formed the ‘missing man’ formation (which leaves space for one aircraft) on the inaugural day of Aero India 2019, as a tribute to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who lost his life in a mid-air collision during rehearsals in a Surya Kiran Acrobatics Team aircraft on Tuesday. The show kicked off at Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi aircraft, flanked by a Jaguar and an LCA Tejas formed the ‘missing man’ formation (which leaves space for one aircraft) on the inaugural day of Aero India 2019, as a tribute to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who lost his life in a mid-air collision during rehearsals in a Surya Kiran Acrobatics Team aircraft on Tuesday. The show kicked off at Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

2/13

The political row-hit Rafale jet was the cynosure of all eyes as the breathtaking display of manoeuvres by the military aircraft and aerobatic team cast a spell on the 12th edition of Aero India. Three Rafale jets have arrived in Bengaluru for the show -- two for flying and one on static display. A Rafale aircraft also flew lower than its normal speed as a mark of respect to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi. (Aijaz Rahi / AP)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

The political row-hit Rafale jet was the cynosure of all eyes as the breathtaking display of manoeuvres by the military aircraft and aerobatic team cast a spell on the 12th edition of Aero India. Three Rafale jets have arrived in Bengaluru for the show -- two for flying and one on static display. A Rafale aircraft also flew lower than its normal speed as a mark of respect to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi. (Aijaz Rahi / AP)

3/13

A SU-30 fighter aircraft lands during the inaugural day of the five-day air show. Aero India is a biennial event with flying demonstrations by stunt teams, military and commercial pavilions where aviation companies display their products and technology. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

A SU-30 fighter aircraft lands during the inaugural day of the five-day air show. Aero India is a biennial event with flying demonstrations by stunt teams, military and commercial pavilions where aviation companies display their products and technology. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

4/13

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas manoeuvres during the inaugural day of the show. The aircraft also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who gave it its name. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas manoeuvres during the inaugural day of the show. The aircraft also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who gave it its name. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

5/13

Indigenously manufactured Indian Air Force (IAF) Dhruv helicopters fly in a formation. The display included the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.’s (HAL) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

Indigenously manufactured Indian Air Force (IAF) Dhruv helicopters fly in a formation. The display included the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.’s (HAL) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

6/13

A Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) performs during the inaugural day of the show. (Shashidhar Byrappa / ANI)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

A Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) performs during the inaugural day of the show. (Shashidhar Byrappa / ANI)

7/13

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy (L) and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (R) during the show. After Sitharaman flagged off the five-day aerospace expo, about 5,000 guests and invitees were treated to a two-hour spectacular flying display of fighters, helicopters, transport and civilian aircrafts. (IANS)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy (L) and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (R) during the show. After Sitharaman flagged off the five-day aerospace expo, about 5,000 guests and invitees were treated to a two-hour spectacular flying display of fighters, helicopters, transport and civilian aircrafts. (IANS)

8/13

(L-R) Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, Army chief General Bipin Rawat and Air Force chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa participate in the opening ceremony on the inaugural day of the show. (Manjunath Kiran / AFP)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

(L-R) Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, Army chief General Bipin Rawat and Air Force chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa participate in the opening ceremony on the inaugural day of the show. (Manjunath Kiran / AFP)

9/13

US Air Force personnel at the static display area during the show. (Shashidhar Byrappa / ANI)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

US Air Force personnel at the static display area during the show. (Shashidhar Byrappa / ANI)

10/13

During the show, the IAF’s resurrected Dakota DC-3 aircraft (Parshuram) from 1940 flew past alongside modern aircrafts. In all, 61 aircrafts are participating in the air show, including 31 in flying display and 30 in static display on the tarmac of the air base. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

During the show, the IAF’s resurrected Dakota DC-3 aircraft (Parshuram) from 1940 flew past alongside modern aircrafts. In all, 61 aircrafts are participating in the air show, including 31 in flying display and 30 in static display on the tarmac of the air base. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

11/13

IAF's Dornier aircraft (R), flanked by HTT-40 and Hawk, manoeuvres during the show. The IAF decided not to fly its Surya Kiran jets at the air show after it lost two of its nine aircrafts on Tuesday. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

IAF's Dornier aircraft (R), flanked by HTT-40 and Hawk, manoeuvres during the show. The IAF decided not to fly its Surya Kiran jets at the air show after it lost two of its nine aircrafts on Tuesday. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

12/13

An IAF officer watches the Yakovlevs, a UK based aerobatic team flying Russian-designed aircrafts. (Aijaz Rahi / AP)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

An IAF officer watches the Yakovlevs, a UK based aerobatic team flying Russian-designed aircrafts. (Aijaz Rahi / AP)

13/13

Delegates watch aircrafts at the show. The show will last till February 24. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

Updated on Feb 21, 2019 4:06 PM

Delegates watch aircrafts at the show. The show will last till February 24. (Shailendra Bhojak / PTI)

Related Photos

Home/Photos/News/Photos: Amid Tributes, Aero India 2019 Mesmerises Spectators In Bengaluru

© 2026 HindustanTimes