Hyderabad, Oct 15 : The country''s first International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation “India Aviation 2008” will begin here today.

The four-day event is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the FICCI, with the United States being the partner country.

The exhibition, to be held at city’s Begumpet Airport, will showcase the development of Indian Civil Aviation sector and a theme pavilion displaying rare photographs and models will highlight its past, present and future.

Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel will inaugurate the event and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy will be the chief guest while eminent speakers from the aviation sector across the globe will present key-note addresses.

A fly-past by Surya Kirans from Indian Air Force (IAF) followed by para sailing, para-jumping and hot-air ballooning by Aero Club of India will mark the opening ceremony.

A new Airbus-319 will be inducted to Air India fleet, coinciding with the closure of inaugural function while another highlight will be arrival of the largest passenger aircraft in the world, Airbus A-380 from France.

The event will provide a platform to forge new partnerships between global and domestic companies. Around 35 CEOs from major aviation companies will discuss their future plans and policy issues. (ANI)