SWISS has recently completed a significant project by equipping its entire fleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with innovative AeroSHARK technology, with the goal of reducing fuel consumption and lowering CO2 emissions.
The AeroSHARK technology was developed to emulate the hydrodynamic properties of shark skin, effectively reducing air resistance during flight. This groundbreaking “sharkskin” film, when applied to the fuselages and engine nacelles of the 777-300ERs, has had a transformative impact on the aviation industry. SWISS began applying the film to its aircraft in 2022, and all 12 planes are now equipped with this cutting-edge technology.
The transparent film features micrometre-deep ‘riblets’ strategically aligned with the airflow, resulting in a significant reduction in fuel consumption. SWISS reports that the application of AeroSHARK technology has led to a notable decrease of over 2,000 tonnes of fuel consumption and a subsequent reduction of 7,100 tonnes in CO2 emissions last year.
The development of the AeroSHARK technology was a collaborative effort between Lufthansa Technik and coatings manufacturer BASF. With the remarkable results achieved in its 777-300ER fleet, SWISS is now considering extending the use of this groundbreaking technology to other long-haul aircraft in the near future.
Claus Bauer, the head of technical fleet management at SWISS, has expressed great satisfaction with the benefits brought about by the AeroSHARK technology, stating, “We are very pleased with the results that we have achieved with AeroSHARK to date. We’re proud, too, to be the first airline in the world to have equipped an entire aircraft fleet with this innovative technology. Each aircraft takes about a week to have its AeroSHARK film applied, which requires high-precision workmanship from our personnel. I am delighted that our commitment to this technology is delivering such positive results, and is enabling us at SWISS to take a further substantial step in making our flight operations more sustainable.”
In addition to the pioneering efforts made by SWISS, the airline industry as a whole is making significant strides towards sustainable flying. To learn more about these initiatives and how other airlines and hotel groups are contributing to making travel more sustainable, please visit the Sustainable Travel section of the Business Traveller website.