Mere six-minute show disappoints spectators
Mysuru: Thousands of spectators who gathered at the Torchlight Parade Grounds in Bannimantap this morning to watch the Dasara Air Show were disappointed as bad weather forced the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) to cut short its display to just six minutes.
The show, scheduled to begin at 11 am, started 13 minutes late. Spectators, many of whom had arrived by 10.30 am, waited patiently to watch the aerial manoeuvres.
The nine jets took off from the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru at 11 am and reached Bannimantap at 11.13 am.
As Squadron Leader Sharad Geol, the team’s commentator, announced the arrival of the nine red-and-white BAE Hawk Mk.132 trainer jets, the crowd looked skywards in anticipation.
The team performed three basic horizontal manoeuvres before the organisers announced that the display had to be cut short due to poor weather conditions. The announcement disappointed spectators who had come from different parts of the city.
Speaking to mediapersons later, Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, Technical Head of SKAT, said, “Today’s show had to be cut short owing to bad weather conditions. We were able to perform three basic horizontal manoeuvres. We expect the weather to be favourable tomorrow and hope to put up a full display.”
“We are one of the four teams in the world to use nine jets for aerial displays and we are extremely happy to be participating in the Dasara festival,” he said, urging people to attend tomorrow’s show.
Headed by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi, SKAT has 13 pilots, three engineering officers, a commentator and a medical officer. The team is based at the Air Force Station in Bidar.
Earlier, Squadron Leader Sharad Geol greeted the audience in Kannada, drawing loud cheers. He welcomed the gathering with the words, “Mysuru Dasara Yesthondu Sundara,” followed by “Mahileyare, Makkale, Mahaniyare, Yuvaka, Yuvathiyare, Air Showge Swagatha.”
No facilities for persons with disabilities: The event also highlighted the difficulties faced by persons with disabilities in accessing the venue. Suhas, a resident of V.V. Mohalla, said that he had struggled to enter the Bannimantap Grounds as no separate entry facility had been provided for persons with disabilities.
“There are no ramps to help persons with disabilities access the gallery. It was only because of ASI P. Sheshadri that I could enter. Measures must be taken to help people like us watch the Air Show comfortably, as we are entitled to the same rights as other citizens,” he said.
Suhas and Sridevi, who were in wheelchairs, were seen watching the show from the gallery.
Entry after security checks: Separate entry and exit points were provided and spectators were allowed in through designated gates after their tickets were checked and they underwent security screening.
The roads around the Torchlight Parade Grounds witnessed traffic congestion as large numbers of people arrived to watch the Air Show.
The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team is scheduled to perform again tomorrow at 10.30 am.
This post was published on October 18, 2026 7:30 pm