Lufthansa Technik has initiated the certification process of AeroSHARK for its Airbus A330ceo, a technology that reduces drag and saves fuel. Lufthansa Technik, in collaboration with BASF, will apply AeroSHARK to the A330ceo, pending regulatory approvals, making the aircraft the first wide-body Airbus model in the AeroSHARK certification process to benefit from drag-reducing and fuel-saving riblet film.
AeroSHARK Certification for A330
Lufthansa Technik is seeking certification through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), which enables a series of modifications to the A330-200s and A330-300s fuselage and nacelles. AeroSHARK is a fuel-saving technology that works by reducing drag. It was developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, and the process involves applying a sharkskin film called riblet film. Riblets are microscopic grooves that help guide air or water efficiently over a surface. On an aircraft, they help direct airflow along the fuselage, reducing drag and improving aerodynamic performance.
The company already holds certifications for AeroSHARK modification on the Boeing 777-300ER, 777-200ER, and Boeing 777F. The Airbus A330 is the next candidate to receive AeroSHARK after the Boeing 777. The A330 is one of the most widely used wide-body aircraft globally, second only to the Boeing 777 in fleet size and popularity among long-haul operators. The A330’s strong standing in the market opens new opportunities for AeroSHARK.
The certification process is expected to be completed in 2026. Aircraft modifications require official approval from aviation authorities. The process involves detailed analyses and test campaigns that ensure compliance and aviation safety standards are met. All aircraft models requiring modification must undergo their own STC.
AeroSHARK Benefits
Lufthansa Technik and BASF Coatings have successfully adapted the principle of drag reduction through riblets to withstand the harsh conditions of daily airline operations, which makes AeroSHARK the first and only certified riblet film solution available for commercial aviation. AeroSHARK achieves a reduction of about one percent in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
According to Lufthansa Technik, the riblet technology is more effective in reducing aerodynamic drag when the aircraft is in a cruise flight. This makes long-haul aircraft great candidates for these types of modification due to their long distances.
Lufthansa Technik stated that large-scale AeroSHARK modifications have been successfully applied to 28 Boeing 777 aircraft of several airlines and one Lufthansa Boeing 747, which was used as a testbed. The company added that AeroSHARK-modified aircraft have accumulated over 232,000 successful flight hours, saving more than 13,000 metric tons of jet fuel and reducing CO2 emissions by over 42,000 metric tons.
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