Lufthansa Technik (LHT) has begun the process to certifying AeroSHARK for the Airbus A330ceo, marking the first time the drag-reducing riblet film will be applied to an Airbus model. Developed in partnership with BASF Coatings, AeroSHARK has already proved effective on Boeing 777 aircraft. For the A330-200 and A330-300, certification will be achieved through a Supplemental Type Certificate, covering the fuselage and engine nacelles.
Andrew Muirhead, Vice President Original Equipment Innovation at Lufthansa Technik, said the A330ceo was selected because of its widespread use and strong potential to deliver global savings in fuel consumption and emissions. With around 1,000 A330s in service worldwide, the modification offers significant leverage for cost reduction and environmental benefit.
The riblet technology imitates the surface of sharkskin, reducing aerodynamic drag, especially in cruise flight. This makes it particularly suited to long-haul operations where small efficiency gains accumulate over many hours. Lufthansa Technik expects the A330ceo certification to be completed in 2026 after detailed analysis, ground tests and flight trials.
AeroSHARK can lower fuel burn and CO2 output by roughly 1% under normal operations. More savings could follow by extending the treated surface beyond the fuselage and nacelles. Frank Naber, Senior Vice President Global Surface Treatment at BASF Coatings, described the A330ceo project as “a significant step forward” in improving fuel efficiency and cutting emissions in commercial aviation.
So far, large-scale AeroSHARK modifications have been installed on 28 Boeing 777s operated by various airlines and one Lufthansa Boeing 747 used as a testbed. Together, these aircraft have logged more than 232,000 flight hours, saved over 13,000 tonnes of jet fuel and cut CO2 emissions by more than 42,000 tonnes. The retrofit programme continues to expand, signalling growing acceptance of riblet technology as a practical route to sustainable airline operations.
