In collaboration with Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa Technik (LHT) is set to introduce its fuel-saving AeroSHARK surface film to a new aircraft type. Beginning in winter 2024, four Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from the Austrian carrier’s fleet will be equipped with the innovative sharkskin technology. This riblet film reduces frictional resistance during flight, leading to decreased kerosene consumption and lower CO2 emissions on long-haul routes.
The modification of four out of Austrian Airlines’ six Boeing 777-200ERs with Lufthansa Technik’s AeroSHARK surface film will commence in December 2024. Over a service life of four years, these modifications are projected to yield total savings of approximately 2,650 metric tonnes of fuel and over 8,300 metric tonnes of CO2, equivalent to around 46 flights from Vienna to New York.
“The rollout of the fuel-saving sharkskin technology on another aircraft type with Austrian Airlines is great news for other Boeing 777-200ER operators as well,” emphasised Harald Gloy, Chief Operating Officer at Lufthansa Technik. “These are the first of what we hope will be many more aircraft of this type that, thanks to AeroSHARK, will have lower kerosene consumption and an improved carbon footprint.”
AeroSHARK is a cutting-edge surface technology for aircraft developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF. It consists of riblets approximately 50 micrometres thick, mimicking the friction-reducing structure of sharkskin. By optimising the aerodynamics of key areas on the aircraft, AeroSHARK helps reduce fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions. Applying around 830 m² of this riblet film to the fuselage and engine nacelles of a Boeing 777-200ER can lead to a reduction of about one percent in total fuel consumption per flight.
To date, a total of 17 Lufthansa Group aircraft have been fitted with AeroSHARK, with more installations planned. The modified fleet currently includes a Boeing 747-400 from Lufthansa Airlines, 12 Boeing 777-300ERs from SWISS, and four Boeing 777Fs from Lufthansa Cargo. The modification of Austrian Airlines’ four Boeing 777-200ER aircraft is expected to be completed by March 2025.
