India - Air Force British Aerospace Hawk 132 A3674

Photographer's remark
(1.4.2024, 14:14 CET)
Ever since I started spotting planes in 2010, it had been my dream to photograph an airshow in Mumbai, my hometown! This dream became a reality in January this year when the Indian Air Force (IAF) announced that it would perform over the city's famous Queen's Necklace (a 3km long sea-facing road that curves along the Arabian Sea coast) with various aircraft. This would be the first airshow in Mumbai after two decades. The display featured the Akash Ganga Skydiving team, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), the Sarang Helicopter Display Team, and a Sukhoi Su-30MKI solo display. This airshow was part of an outreach program aimed to raise awareness and strengthen the bond between the IAF and the local community. On the 13th and 14th of January, from 12-1 pm, the skies of Mumbai roared with jets performing captivating maneuvers for a diverse audience. Thousands, if not lakhs, of spectators of all ages gathered to witness the awe-inspiring display of the Indian Air Force personnel and their formidable aircraft. In this image, five SKAT Hawk 132s are seen flying in formation over Mumbai's ever-growing skyline, approaching from the East, while a sixth Hawk crosses them head-on at high speed. I express immense gratitude to all those involved in making this extraordinary event a reality. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai (VABB/BOM), India's second busiest airport, had to halt its operations during the airshow. Although the likelihood of a similar airshow in the near future is low, I remain hopeful. Special thanks to everyone who contributed to capturing this remarkable moment.

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