The almost non-existent livery culture in Indian aviation

The lack of special aircraft colour schemes on Indian airlines

A QR A330–300 in the 2006 ASIAN GAMES livery (Image credit: By KRZYSZTOF SKOWRONSKI ON AIRLINERS.NET)

The standard corporate colour scheme and airline logo are the most distinctive aspects of an airline’s identity, primarily from a branding perspective.

Additionally, you might have noticed how carriers paint their aircraft exteriors with vivid patterns and font styles to commemorate special events or promote their sponsors. Such a paint job is known as a special livery. These liveries may or may not cover the entire fuselage, depending on the requirement. While some are applied for the short term, others remain in use for months or even years.

For instance, Delta Air Lines (DL) painted their 767–400 in a special Pink Livery a couple of years ago to promote breast cancer awareness. Similarly, All Nippon Airways (ANA) adorned their 747–400 with an all-yellow Pikachu livery, attracting not just children and aviation enthusiasts but also the general public.

The beautiful ANA 747–481D ‘Pikachu Jet’ (Image credit: By YOSHIHARU MOHRI ON AIRLINERS.NET)

Now is it only me who thinks that this whole concept is lost somewhere in India? Ahem ahem!!! we did have couple of bland, dull vinyl sticker based liveries slapped on the fuselage many many years ago. Here is a short list of special paint schemes worn by these airlines in India that might want to go through:

1. SPICEJET — Tata HEXA livery, Telangana Tourism livery, Danube Properties, Sonu Sood’s humanitarian efforts, Celebrating administering of 100 crore vaccines, Preganews promotional livery, and Staff’s photos as their liveries.
2. JET AIRWAYS — Audi A5, Walt Disney, GE engines special livery, X-Lifestyle by Van Huesen.
3. AIR-INDIA — Mahatma Gandhi motif on the 787–8 Dreamliner’s tail, Ek Onkar livery on the tail. Others not so intriguing slap-job includes a ‘Celebrating India’ sticker, applied on one of its 77W. Now that Air-India has a new branding which looks amazing.
4. AIR ASIA INDIA — In special Rajnikant’s KABALI livery, a tribute to Shri JRD TATA by depicting his photo on the rear fuselage.

Air-India 787–8 Dreamliner in ‘Ek Onkar’ scheme (Image credit: By TEEMU PESONEN)

As avgeeks, we’re always on the lookout for unique aircraft colour schemes to showcase to the public on social media. However, what happens behind the scenes at the drawing and design table is a complex process involving company executives, stakeholders, shareholders, and sponsors. On the other hand, it’s worth noting that any carrier with a special livery often requires additional maintenance to keep the paint job fresh and the aircraft exterior sparkling.

Happy Plane Spotting!

— Pramod Sharma, Author