Alamein International Airport received the Egyptian national team delegation returning from the 2026 World Cup by spraying water on the plane as soon as it landed on the homeland.
The Egyptian national team participated in the World Cup held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and managed to reach the round of 16 in the competitions for the first time in history.
The Egyptian national team arrived on the homeland aboard a private plane, at Alamein Airport amid a massive reception.
The "Masrawy" website monitored the water spraying traditions at airports, through which the Egyptian national team was received at Alamein Airport.
A number of pilots working in various airlines say that this famous tradition came from the navy where it was used for new ships, and giant ships are celebrated before they make their first sea voyage through a "bow" of water sprayed by boats before they leave or enter the port.
The pilots continued, the water salute for the plane began in the 1990s, when "Salt Lake City International Airport" in the American state of Utah began saluting retired pilots affiliated with "Delta Airlines" by making a water "bow" that the plane passes under.
The water salute is used to celebrate many occasions, including:
- Receiving a new airline arriving at the airport for the first time.
- Celebrating a new commercial plane operating for the first time.
- Celebrating the last flight of an airline at a certain airport.
- Celebrating the first flight of a plane or the arrival of a new type of aircraft.
- In case of retirement of a plane captain or air traffic controller.
- Welcoming a sports team returning to the homeland.
- Welcoming a prominent figure.
The water "bow" is made by using two fire trucks present on the runway, where they stand opposite each other on both sides of the runway or the path designated for aircraft, and at the moment the plane enters, the fire trucks begin spraying water on the plane's body by creating a high bow of water through their cannons, and each water cannon can last for two minutes, and use up to 3,000 gallons of water, and fire trucks must be placed carefully and in safe locations, allowing enough space for the plane to pass.
Airport operations coordinate with air navigation to calculate wind direction and speed, and the operation must be coordinated with the air traffic control tower, and it is important for the pilot to announce the water salute to the passengers on board the plane, otherwise the scene of fire trucks and bright lights immediately after landing may cause panic among the passengers.
