Over the last 18 months, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has diligently integrated AeroSHARK technology into its Boeing 777-300ER long-haul fleet. This groundbreaking film, designed after the hydrodynamic characteristics of sharks’ skin, is applied to the fuselage and engine nacelles, minimizing air resistance during flight. This modification not only enhances fuel efficiency but also reduces carbon dioxide emissions.
SWISS now boasts a fleet of 12 Boeing 777 aircraft equipped with this advanced technology, making it the first airline globally to have its entire fleet outfitted with AeroSHARK. The inaugural AeroSHARK flight was conducted in October 2022, and the final Boeing 777, HB-JNF, received the sharkskin film earlier this month. All equipped aircraft are currently operational.
The transparent AeroSHARK film, with its micro-ridged surface aligned with the airflow, reduces air resistance by approximately one percent. Even with partial implementation, this technology has enabled SWISS to reduce kerosene consumption by over 2,200 tonnes and cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 7,100 tonnes in the past year.
Claus Bauer, SWISS’s Head of Technical Fleet Management, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes achieved with AeroSHARK to date, highlighting the airline’s commitment to sustainable flight operations. He also acknowledged the expertise and precision of SWISS personnel in applying the AeroSHARK film, which takes approximately a week per aircraft.
Developed jointly by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, AeroSHARK is being considered for potential application on additional aircraft types within SWISS’s long-haul fleet in the near future, further demonstrating the airline’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
