Lufthansa Technik installs AeroShark drag-reduction film on first A330

Lufthansa Technik is installing its AeroShark drag-reduction film on an Airbus A330-300 operated by Discover Airlines. Aircraft modifications specialist EFW is carrying out the work at Dresden airport. The installation, about halfway complete at the time of reporting, is part of a certification campaign that should conclude later this year.

AeroShark is a transparent film that mimics shark skin. Each square metre is coated with thousands of riblets no higher than 50 microns, designed to optimize the boundary layer of air flowing over the fuselage and nacelles. The film is applied in sheets and trimmed to fit the aircraft's curves. One technician likened the process to gift wrapping a soccer ball.

Lufthansa Technik expects the aircraft to return to flight in the coming days for a short burst of flight testing. AeroShark, jointly developed with BASF Coatings, now known as Surventis, is already in service on Boeing 777 variants and one 747-400. A total of 31 aircraft from seven airlines have the film installed. The MRO provider says it delivers annual fuel-burn savings of about 1-1.2%, with a break-even on investment within two years at current fuel prices.