Red lighting was used until recently because it does not effect the cones in the eyes like white lighting would. Therefore, vision outside for takeoff and landings is better.

However, development of illumination systems that do not use filament sources allow use of blue-white or green tinted lighting, which is more natural.

I recall the spare "peanut bulb" compartment in every early Navy jet I flew, and having to change a few of these "eyebrow" type bulbs in flight. A real nuisance!!