Few takers for Air Show

Vijayawada: The lavish extravaganza of Air Show ended on Friday evening even before we know it was started. The 15-minute aerobatics by four airplanes show started at 4 pm and ended exactly by 4.15 pm.

The show was organised by AP Tourism Authority in which the aerobatics team comprising four airplanes and five pilots from the United Kingdom-based Global Star firm participated.

In spite of the massive arrangements said to accommodate one lakh visitors there were hardly a few hundred audiences to witness the air show which was proved to be a damp squib.

Arrangements include the teams of swimming experts, NDRF teams, Fire department, medical teams and even an ambulance which could be described as massive. An audience commented that even these few hundred audiences attended today since it was a holiday.

Earlier, Minister for Sports and Law Kollu Ravindra formally announcing the inauguration of the aerobatics show said that the citizens were enjoying the air show. He attributed the credit to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who would participate as chief guest on the concluding day -- Sunday.

District Collector B Lakshmikantam expressed happiness that Vijayawada city has become a happening place for various programmes.

CEO of AP Tourism Authority Himanshu Shukla said that the Tourism Authority would organise four programmes every month for entertainment of people. He announced that Rowing competitions and Buddhism festival would be conducted soon in the city.

Several other officials were also present at the show. Mark led the team of aerobatics team which included Tom, Chris, Steve and Michael.