Austrian Airlines has successfully completed the installation of AeroSHARK surface technology on four of its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, becoming the first airline globally to retrofit this specific aircraft type with the innovative solution. The long-haul aircraft, bearing the registrations OE-LPA, OE-LPB, OE-LPC, and OE-LPD, are now equipped with a pioneering surface film developed by Lufthansa Technik in collaboration with BASF.
The AeroSHARK film is applied to 830 m² of the fuselage and engine nacelles on each aircraft. It features microscopic ribbed structures, known as riblets, inspired by sharkskin, which reduce aerodynamic drag. This results in a measurable improvement in fuel efficiency, with each aircraft projected to save approximately one percent of its total fuel consumption per flight.
For the Austrian Airlines fleet, these enhancements are expected to deliver significant environmental benefits. By 2028, the airline anticipates saving around 2,650 metric tonnes of fuel and cutting over 8,300 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions. This is equivalent to avoiding emissions from approximately 46 flights between Vienna and New York.
The project follows the successful extension of the supplemental Type Certificate by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), authorising the application of AeroSHARK to the Boeing 777-200ER model. Austrian Airlines’ adoption of this cutting-edge technology represents a clear step towards more sustainable long-haul operations and supports the airline’s broader environmental goals.
With the rollout now complete on its initial four aircraft, Austrian Airlines continues to explore ways to increase efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, setting a new benchmark for innovation within the aviation sector.
