Why do airlines paint their planes?

All exterior airplane paint can be classified either as decorative, which includes an operator's markings, or as protective, which is light gray in color. Protective paint is used in certain areas to prevent corrosion, and it is used on all composites to prevent erosion and moisture ingress.



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White paint cools planes and increases resistance to radiation. The use of white paints with high metal oxides content helps protect aircraft. The main reason why aircraft are painted white or light colours is to reflect sunlight and minimise both the heat and any potential damage from solar radiation.

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Painting an aircraft white helps to reflect the sunlight, and minimize the amount of energy needed to keep the plane comfortable. Modern airplanes that are made from composite materials need even more protection from the sun as they can be damaged by UV radiation, which is another reason why white paint is used.

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The spraying of airplanes as they land is a tradition known as the “water salute.” As explained by Wikipedia, it's performed for ceremonial purposes, such as the retirement of an airplane. When an airplane makes its final flight, it's honored with the water salute once it lands on the tarmac.

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Green zinc chromate or zinc phosphate primer is applied to prevent corrosion on the aluminum surface. Since the anti-corrosion chemical and primer are used on all newly produced aircraft, all new aircraft look green.

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The most common reason is that there are no airstrips or airports on many of the small islands, so if a plane had to make an emergency landing, it would be difficult to find a place to land. Additionally, the Pacific Ocean is vast and remote, so if a plane were to go down, it would be very difficult to find.

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The salute also signifies a transfer of control, a change of command if you will, from ground crew to air crew; a symbolic salute from maintenance to say; “Sir/Ma'am, you have the aircraft,” and a return salute stating; “Roger, I have the aircraft.” According to the International Civil Aeronautics Organization and the ...

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Water cannon salutes are a mark of respect in both the civilian aviation industry and the military aviation enterprise when a senior pilot retires, an aircraft retires, the arrival of a new aircraft to an organization and the final flight of an aircraft from an airport.

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