New Delhi.A group of fifteen German pilots who had arrived in Bengaluru to attend the opening ceremony of Aero India faced an unexpected problem. The pilot group, which was visiting India for the first time, had to face Bengaluru’s famous traffic jams, causing them to miss the opening ceremony and aircraft display of the event. Their visit on Monday turned out to be a frustrating experience when they got stuck in the city’s notorious traffic jams and arrived much later than scheduled.
Hours of delay and missed schedule
The German pilots, who had arrived in Bengaluru on an Airbus A330 passenger aircraft, were staying at a hotel about 17 km from the venue. They had started their journey early in the morning, hoping that the traffic would be less. But their private cab got stuck in the city’s hectic traffic, and the journey they were supposed to complete in an hour turned into hours. As a result, they could not reach Yelahanka Air Force Station on time and the opening ceremony was over.
Facing departmental challenge
When one of the German pilots commented on the condition of his journey, he ironically mentioned that the next day he was discussing Bengaluru’s infrastructure with a local guide but had to face the same city’s traffic jam. This situation proved to be an unexpected challenge for them. However, instead of being disappointed, the pilots were optimistic about the rest of the event, wherein they were looking forward to meeting the attendees and showcasing their aircraft.
Pilots unaware of special arrangements
According to the report, the authorities had made special arrangements for the foreigners to bypass the traffic jam. This arrangement also included a designated lane, which was made to avoid heavy traffic pressure. But the German pilots were unaware of this special provision and opted for the normal route, which led to them arriving late.
Improvement expected in Aero India
This year, there has been an improvement in traffic management for Aero India. Officials said that compared to previous years, this time the traffic situation near the venue had improved. Though the German pilots were unaware of the system, the overall traffic situation has improved a lot this year.
Significance of Aero India
Aero India is a major event for India’s aerospace and defence sector, held biennially. The event brings together aviation experts, global defence leaders and technology innovators on one platform. High-speed aerial manoeuvres, advanced aircraft demonstrations and strategic business discussions are part of the event, which attracts aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals.
