- Lufthansa Technik pioneers Sharkskin surface technology, debuting on the world’s first Boeing 777-200ER.
- Cutting-edge innovation slashes fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by minimizing frictional resistance.
- Austrian Airlines plans to retrofit three additional long-haul aircraft with this technology by March 2025.
Sharkskin Takes Flight with Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines has introduced cutting-edge AeroSHARK surface technology on its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, marking a milestone in aviation innovation. The long-haul aircraft, registered OE-LPC, successfully completed its first flight equipped with the “sharkskin” feature, departing Bangkok as flight OS26 and landing in Vienna at 5:00 am local time. This groundbreaking modification will be applied to a total of four B777-200ERs in the fleet by March 2025.
The sharkskin-inspired Riblet film, covering 830 square meters on each aircraft’s fuselage and engine nacelles, reduces frictional resistance, significantly cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. For the entire retrofitted fleet, this translates to annual savings of approximately 2,650 tonnes of fuel and over 8,300 tonnes of CO2—equivalent to 46 round-trip flights between Vienna and New York.
This initiative reflects Austrian Airlines’ commitment to sustainability, delivering environmental benefits while maintaining operational excellence.
“Reducing our CO2 emissions in flight operations is at the centre of our sustainability efforts. The application of the ‘sharkskin’ developed by Lufthansa Technik is an important investment that will enable us to fly our long-haul aircraft more efficiently,” says Austrian COO Francesco Sciortino.
Austrian Airlines is the first airline to use this technology on the Boeing 777-200ER. To this end, Lufthansa Technik has obtained an extension of the existing certification for this aircraft type from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). “With this certification, the fleet-wide implementation of our sharkskin technology on 777-200ER aircraft can begin, supporting airlines worldwide to enhance operational efficiency and achieve their environmental goals,” says Harald Gloy, Chief Operating Officer of Lufthansa Technik. “
AeroSHARK, an advanced surface technology co-developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, features ultra-fine transparent riblets approximately 50 micrometres in size. These riblets mimic the aerodynamic properties of sharkskin, enhancing the aircraft’s aerodynamics in key areas for improved efficiency.
This innovative sharkskin-inspired solution represents a significant stride in Austrian Airlines’ commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Aligned with the Lufthansa Group’s sustainability goals, Austrian Airlines aims to achieve a 30.6% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.
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