Ratan Tata recently regained ownership of air India. Later today, air India's AI-267 aircraft was greeted with a salute in the Maldives. The maldives saluted an air india flight with an aeroplane for a reason.
On 21 february 1976, the first air india flight took off between Trivandrum, india and maldives, Maldives. Today marks the 46th anniversary of air India's first flight between india and the Maldives. On this occasion, he was greeted with a shower of water as soon as the AI-267 aircraft of air india arrived at Mal Airport.
Why is water sprayed on planes? (Water Canon Salute)
It is a great honour to give an aircraft a water salute. The water salute is usually given when a senior pilot or air traffic controller retires, as well as on the first or last flight of an airline and a specific airline, or on the first or last flight of a specific aircraft, or for a memorable moment.
The indian air Force also has a tradition of saluting a water cannon whenever a new aircraft enters the Army. The Raphael aircraft, which recently entered the indian air Force, is similarly saluted.
How is such a salute given?
When a plane arrives at the airport, firefighters pour water on both sides of the runway. An arch is formed by the strong current of water and the plane is carried under it. This tradition of welcoming aircraft is called 'Water Cannon Salute'. Sometimes it looks like a rainbow and becomes a fascinating sight.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel