This aircraft fuel-saving technology is based on the skin of sharks

“For each Boeing 777-300ER operated by SWISS, this means annual savings of around 400 tons of kerosene and more than 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide. The slightly shorter Boeing 777F saves around 370 tons of fuel and 1,170 tons of CO2 each year.”

First flights with the new tech already on the way

The first AeroSHARK-equipped Boeing 777-300ER of the Swiss airline had already begun daily operations in October. The first flights of this plane, conducted on September 8 and 9 2022 with the EASA, were undertaken to collect detailed proof that the AeroSHARK modification had no negative impact on the operational safety and handling of the Boeing 777.

The initial flights were followed by several weeks of evaluation of the collected data and other documents, such as measured values from flow simulations. The new decree issued by EASA will now allow Lufthansa Technik to apply the riblet films to any given Boeing 777-300ER and 777F aircraft.

"The approval of AeroSHARK for the Boeing 777 variants is an important step in the distribution of this new technology for more sustainability in air transport," said Soeren Stark, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Technik. 

"With our partner BASF, we can now support our customers in making entire subfleets more climate-friendly. Moreover, we intend to realize the use of the new technology for further aircraft types. We are the only MRO company in the world to offer such solutions to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions for commercial aircraft. We are naturally very proud of this."

"Realizing such a project is only possible through cooperation in partnership and great trust in each other's expertise. Together, we have succeeded in developing a tailor-made solution that combines economic action and sustainability in equal measure," further explained Dr. Uta Holzenkamp, head of BASF's Coatings division. 

"With the Novaflex Sharkskin functional film, we are helping our customers to achieve their individual sustainability goals and in this way make aviation measurably more environmentally friendly."

To be installed on several aircraft

AeroSHARK will now be installed on SWISS and Lufthansa Cargo’s twelve 777-300ERs and eleven 777Fs. The changes are expected to reduce Lufthansa Group's carbon footprint by more than 25,000 tons annually.

In 2020, Lufthansa operated its first-ever 100% carbon-neutral cargo flight.