‘A Starry Attraction’: US Astronaut Sunita Williams To Fly In For Aero India 2019 In Bengaluru 

American astronaut Sunita Williams is set to be the star attraction during the twelfth Aero India Show starting from 20 February, the Deccan Chronicle reports.

The United States Navy officer, with a total spacewalk time of 50 hours and 40 minutes from seven spacewalks, is likely to attend the air show on International Women’s Day on 23 February.

Women power is slated to be among the highlights of the five-day event. "Women pilots will fly the aircraft in the show. As of now, 365 companies that include both Indian and international will participate," said Air commodore Ravuri Sheetal, Air officer commanding (AOC) of the Air Force Station Yelahanka.

The Aero India Show 2019 will be held in the Yelahanka Air Force Station and will be managed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). In 2017, the show was managed by Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO).

“The flying hours will be between 1000 hrs to 1200 hours and 1400 hours to 1700 hours. This is the standard time for aero shows. The timing is chosen so that the civilian aircraft at the International Airport is not troubled," Air commodore Ravuri added.

Ravuri also said since the Yelahanka Air Force Station has organised Aero Shows in the past, the delay in the deciding the venue from the government did not hinder the preparations.