AeroSHARK is a surface film developed jointly by Lufthansa Technik and BASF based on nature's model. It mimics the microscopic structure of sharkskin and optimizes the airflow on the aircraft fuselage and engine nacelles. This makes it possible to save fuel and thus reduce CO2 emissions – by around one percent in the current version. Future developments could even save up to three percent.
There are countless microscopically small skin teeth with grooves on a shark's skin. Thanks to this special surface structure and their physique, water resistance is reduced and sharks can reach top speeds of over 70 km/h with relative ease. Back into the air: the 50-micrometer thin AeroSHARK film has countless small ribs, so-called riblets. These reduce air resistance, which in turn lowers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
In fall 2022, the world's first Boeing 777-300ER from SWISS equipped with AeroSHARK entered scheduled service. Shortly thereafter, the world's first cargo aircraft, a Boeing 777F from Lufthansa Cargo, followed suit. By the beginning of 2025, 19 aircraft modified with AeroSHARK are already flying for the Lufthansa Group: the entire Boeing 777-300ER fleet of SWISS (twelve aircraft), five Boeing 777F of Lufthansa Cargo, one Boeing 777-200ER of Austrian Airlines and one Boeing 747-400 of Lufthansa. The Lufthansa Group's AeroSHARK fleet avoids around 15 metric tonnes of kerosene and around 48 metric tonnes of CO2 every day.
And the AeroSHARK swarm is growing: in the near future, three more Triple Sevens from Austrian Airlines will be equipped with the AeroSHARK film, in addition to further Lufthansa Cargo freighters. Airlines outside the Lufthansa Group are also already relying on this technology, which underlines the importance of this innovation for increasing fuel efficiency.
The film can currently be applied to Boeing 777F, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 747-400 and, more recently, Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. Current priorities include approval for ever larger areas of the Boeing 777 fleet and for other long-haul aircraft types. As the wrap changes the aerodynamic properties of the aircraft, each individual aircraft type must undergo a certification process with aviation safety authorities.
The application of AeroSHARK is a lighthouse project within the Lufthansa Group for Efficiency improvement in flight operations. With the help of technological innovations, intelligent flight planning and control, improved aerodynamics and weight reduction, the Lufthansa Group aims to use every drop of kerosene more and more efficiently. The airlines are optimizing flight routes with real-time data, developing new approach procedures and reducing aircraft weight through new aircraft paintwork, lighter trolleys and containers, demand-driven loading including demand-driven refueling of fresh water and optimized planning of fuel use.
14.01.2025
Austrian Airlines takes off with sharkskin for the first time
15.05.2024
Full SWISS Boeing 777 fleet now equipped with CO2-reducing “sharkskin“ film
16.12.2022
Learn from nature and save CO2: Lufthansa Group is the first airline group worldwide to equip aircraft with aerodynamic sharkskin film
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