SAO PAULO- Lufthansa (LH) Group subsidiary Lufthansa Technik AG has secured LATAM Airlines Group (LA) as its first external customer for the fuel-saving AeroSHARK film in the Americas.
The innovative sharkskin technology has demonstrated a one percent reduction in jet fuel consumption since its implementation in December 2023. Encouraged by these results, LATAM plans to expand the AeroSHARK installation to four additional Boeing 777 aircraft.
LATAM Equips 777 with AeroSHARK Film
LATAM’s pioneering move marks a significant milestone as the first airline outside the Lufthansa Group and in the Americas to adopt this CO₂-reducing solution.
The initial Boeing 777-300ER, fitted with the bionic surface film in São Paulo, has undergone rigorous testing in daily operations. The success of these trials has prompted LATAM to commit to outfitting four more aircraft with the technology.
The expansion will result in five AeroSHARK-modified aircraft operating under LATAM Airlines Brazil, representing a substantial step in the company’s fleet modernization strategy. This initiative aligns with LATAM’s broader sustainability goals and its ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Sebastián Acuto, Director of Fleet and Projects at LATAM Airlines Group, emphasized the company’s dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility.
He stated that the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like AeroSHARK plays a crucial role in evolving their fleet to meet stringent environmental objectives.
Fuel-Efficient Innovation
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. confirms fuel savings from AeroSHARK, a sharkskin-inspired surface film developed by BASF and Lufthansa Technik. The film’s riblet structure, measuring about 50 micrometers, reduces drag when applied to aircraft surfaces, cutting fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by approximately one percent.
LATAM Airlines Brazil plans to equip five Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with AeroSHARK, projecting annual savings of up to 2,000 metric tons of kerosene and 6,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. This reduction equates to about 28 scheduled flights from São Paulo to Miami on a Boeing 777.
Robin Johansson, Senior Director Sales Latin America and Caribbean at Lufthansa Technik, emphasizes AeroSHARK’s effectiveness, stating the company’s commitment to reducing aviation’s CO₂ emissions through innovative engineering.
Lufthansa Technik aims to expand AeroSHARK’s application globally, helping more airlines achieve their sustainability goals.
The company continues to develop AeroSHARK, focusing on approvals for larger surface areas on Boeing 777-300ER and 777F models, as well as additional aircraft types. Lufthansa Technik recently announced plans to extend the technology to Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
Currently, 21 aircraft from various airlines worldwide operate with AeroSHARK technology, including LATAM’s first modified 777-300ER. This number is steadily increasing, with LATAM’s next aircraft modification scheduled for November.
Since the world’s first AeroSHARK scheduled flight in October 2022, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has equipped all its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with this fuel-saving technology.
The last remaining aircraft registered HB-JNF, was fitted with AeroSHARK in early May 2024, completing the modification of all SWISS Boeing 777s. So far, 17 Lufthansa Group aircraft have been equipped with AeroSHARK.
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