Why Most Aircraft are Painted White: Key Reasons Explained
- White paint helps aircraft reflect heat and manage cabin temperatures more efficiently
- A white fuselage makes branding easier and supports higher resale value
- White aircraft fade more slowly, reducing the frequency and cost of repainting
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Oluwatobi Odeyinka is a business editor at Legit.ng, covering energy, the money market, technology and macroeconomic trends in Nigeria.
Most commercial and private aircraft around the world share a common feature despite differences in branding and design: a white exterior.
Although planes can technically be painted in almost any colour, white has remained the dominant choice in the aviation industry. According to aviation experts, the preference is driven by a mix of safety, cost, maintenance, and operational considerations.
Source: UGC
When aircraft leave the manufacturer’s assembly line, they are often coated in a green zinc phosphate primer, which is why test aircraft may appear green during flight trials. While repainting is not mandatory, most planes are finished in white before being delivered to operators.
Experts who spoke with Vanguard cited several reasons why white continues to be the standard colour for aircraft.
1. Heat management benefits
White surfaces reflect sunlight more effectively than darker colours, which absorb heat. This helps keep cabin temperatures lower, particularly when aircraft are parked on hot runways, and can assist manufacturers in staying within temperature limits for the airframe.
2. A practical base for branding
A white fuselage provides a neutral background for airline logos and liveries. While some operators opt for bold designs for marketing purposes, white remains the preferred base colour because it allows branding elements to stand out clearly.
3. Higher resale and charter appeal
Aircraft painted white generally maintain higher resale value. New owners can easily apply their own branding without the expense of stripping a dark paint scheme. Charter operators also benefit, as neutral colours appeal to a broader range of customers.
4. Slower ageing and reduced repainting costs
White paint is more resistant to fading caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight at high altitudes. As a result, white aircraft typically require repainting every four years rather than every two. This is significant, given that repainting an aircraft can cost between $100,000 and $350,000.
5. Easier inspections and maintenance
According to industry specialists, structural cracks, corrosion, and oil leaks are easier to detect on white surfaces. Although dirt may be more visible, cleaner aircraft also experience improved fuel efficiency due to reduced drag.
6. Improved visibility for safety
White aircraft are easier to see in the sky and at night, which enhances safety. This differs from military aircraft, which are painted in camouflage colours to reduce visibility.
7. Lower cost and passenger perception
White paint is widely available and less expensive than specialised colours. In addition, studies indicate that passengers tend to feel more comfortable and secure flying in aircraft with traditional white paint schemes.
Source: Getty Images
IATA says airlines’ revenues are blocked globally
Legit.ng earlier reported that airlines are under increasing financial strain as billions of dollars earned from ticket sales are blocked and inaccessible in several countries, including Nigeria, due to foreign exchange restrictions.
This was disclosed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in an article written by its Senior Vice President for External Affairs, Thomas Reynaert. He said the problem of “blocked funds” poses a serious threat to global air connectivity and broader economic growth.
Reynaert explained that blocked funds are revenues earned by airlines in local currencies that cannot be converted or repatriated into US dollars because of government controls or shortages of foreign exchange.
Source: Legit.ng
