Pictures: Air India 787 Dreamliner gets water cannon salute on first arrival at Bangalore

On the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Air India commenced commercial service of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner. VT-ANH, performing flight AI403 from Delhi was given the traditional welcome, on its first arrival at Bengaluru International Airport, a water cannon salute by the airport's fire-fighters (ARFF).

The Dreamliner, carrying 173 passengers, touched down around 21:06, delayed by almost two hours late due to a failure of the air-conditioning system just as it was departing Delhi airport.

The aircraft was welcomed by senior officials of Air India, and a delegation from Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), led by Hari Marar, President, Airport Operations. Airside, virtually everyone connected to the aircraft, including engineers from engine manufacturer General Electric were present.

On arrival, the aircraft was given the traditional 'puja' accorded to new vehicles including the flight crew breaking a coconut to ward off evil spirits.

All these ceremonies took a toll on the turn-around time. The Dreamliner departed on its return flight to Delhi around 22:45, nearly three hours late, with 126 passengers on board, along with India's External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna.

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Photo: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i D-ABYA gets water cannon salute at Bangalore

In the very early hours of September 13th, Lufthansa landed its first Boeing 747-8i at Bengaluru International Airport. The B748 service on flight LH754 from Frankfurt to Bangalore commenced one day earlier than announced since Lufthansa was able to complete its fleet induction of the newest 748 D-ABYD, one day earlier. Keeping with tradition, the fire-fighters and rescue teams of the ARFF gave D-ABYA the water cannon salute, signifying the first flight by this aircraft type.

A piece of trivia for us AvGeeks. D-ABYA, the first Boeing 747-8i has performed the first flights to all the three existing Lufthansa 748 destinations -- Washington Dulles, New Delhi, and now Bangalore.

Below is a picture, courtesy Lufthansa.

The Boeing 748 features Luthansa's new business class which was recently reviewed by Bangalore Aviation.

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Photos and video: Air India's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives in Delhi, receives water cannon salute

After years of waiting, including a few weeks of nail biting delays, Air India's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner VT-ANH arrived at IGI Airport in the nation's capital New Delhi, at the end of a 15 hour flight from the airframer's Charleston, USA, delivery centre.

Even Mother Nature, who was thundering and raining over Delhi this week, made sure the Dreamliner arrived to clear blue skies.

Thanks to Mr. Uday Krishna, a member of the Aviation Photographers India Foundation, and a Bangalore Aviation supporter, we bring you these exclusive pictures of VT-ANH arriving in Delhi and receiving the traditional water cannon salute from the airport fire-fighters.

Spot the subtle differences between the 777 livery in the background and the 787 livery

And here is a video from Abhishek Singh.

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Photos and Video: Lufthansa's Boeing 747-8i receives water cannon salute at Delhi airport on first arrival

Whenever a new aircraft arrives at an airport for the first time, it is given the traditional water cannon salute by the airport's fire trucks spraying water high in to the air from both sides, to form an arch under which the aircraft passes.

India's capital New Delhi's India Gandhi International Airport welcomed the first Lufthansa's Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental D-ABYA as it touched down for the first time in India at 00:35 today on its flight from Frankfurt. It was welcomed by the water cannon salute at Terminal 3.

Full details on the service and the aircraft, including a detailed white paper are available in this article.

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