For many Maharashtrians, their dreams of flying have come true for the first time, at what is being reported as the nation’s first flying festival being held at Solapur Airport. Titled Zep – The Flying Festival, the event has allowed many people from Solapur and other places, including Pune and Baramati, to take to the skies in their first brush with flying.

High spirits: Children enjoy the first-of-its-kind flying festival at Solapur Airport

With several activities on offer, such as airplane rides, paragliding, paramotor gliding, parasailing, aeromodelling and more, it’s no surprise that both the young and old thronged to the airport.

Age certainly didn’t hold 82-year-old Mandakini Dastane back, and she returned from her airplane ride thrilled with the experience. “It was the best moment of my life, I was really very excited and happy about the ride. I saw the Tulja Bhavani temple from above, which made me very happy. Sitting next to the pilot was one of the best parts, as he explained everything about where we were, and how we were flying.”