Lufthansa Technik and Surventis are testing the next generation of AeroSHARK technology on a Lufthansa City Airlines Airbus A319. The new material aims to improve aircraft efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag and lowering fuel consumption. The flight trials will continue through February 2027.
New AeroSHARK Test Begins on Airbus A319
The Airbus A319, registered as D-ABGK, is the first aircraft to test the new AeroSHARK material in commercial service. Around 70 transparent film patches, each measuring 20 × 20 centimeters, have been installed on the fuselage and engine cowlings.
The aircraft will operate regular flights between Munich and Hamburg. During this period, Lufthansa Technik and Surventis will evaluate the material under real operating conditions.
Research Focuses on Wings and Tail Surfaces
Current AeroSHARK technology is approved for aircraft fuselages and engine cowlings. However, the new research targets additional aircraft surfaces, including wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizers.
These components experience higher aerodynamic loads. Therefore, engineers are testing different material compositions to identify the best balance of durability, easy installation, simple cleaning, and residue-free removal.
Furthermore, Lufthansa Technik will inspect the test materials regularly during scheduled ground maintenance in Hamburg.
Nature-Inspired Technology Improves Efficiency
AeroSHARK is inspired by the microscopic riblets found on shark skin. These tiny grooves reduce friction as sharks move through water. Similarly, the aviation version uses grooves approximately 50 micrometers high to reduce aerodynamic drag during flight.
As a result, aircraft equipped with AeroSHARK currently achieve about a 1% reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. Although the percentage appears small, it produces significant environmental benefits across thousands of flights.
Lufthansa Group Expands AeroSHARK Fleet
The Lufthansa Group has already equipped 22 long-haul aircraft with AeroSHARK technology. These include:
- 12 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft operated by SWISS
- 5 Boeing 777F freighters from Lufthansa Cargo
- 4 Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from Austrian Airlines
- 1 Boeing 747-400 operated by Lufthansa
Together, these aircraft save approximately 19 metric tonnes of fuel and 60 metric tonnes of CO₂ every day. In addition, several airlines outside the Lufthansa Group have adopted the technology to improve fuel efficiency on long-haul operations.
Supporting More Sustainable Air Travel
The latest AeroSHARK trials represent another step toward more sustainable aviation. By extending the technology to wings and tail surfaces, Lufthansa Technik hopes to unlock additional fuel savings and reduce emissions even further.
If successful, the next-generation material could help airlines improve operational efficiency while supporting long-term environmental goals.
