All Nippon Airways Leads Asia with Adoption of AeroSHARK Technology
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, has become the first in Asia to implement AeroSHARK technology, a groundbreaking surface film inspired by shark skin that reduces drag and enhances fuel efficiency. This innovation, developed jointly by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, features micro-structured riblets approximately 50 micrometers in size, applied to the aircraft’s fuselage to streamline airflow and decrease fuel consumption. (lufthansa-technik.com)
ANA’s initial application of AeroSHARK is on a Boeing 777 freighter (JA771F), which began scheduled cargo flights on September 2, 2024. Plans are in place to extend the technology to a passenger aircraft (JA796A) by next spring, furthering ANA’s commitment to sustainable aviation practices. (lufthansa-technik.com)
The implementation of AeroSHARK is expected to yield significant environmental benefits. Each equipped Boeing 777F and 777-300ER aircraft is projected to save approximately 250 metric tons of fuel and reduce CO₂ emissions by 800 metric tons annually. (lufthansa-technik.com)
Kohei Tsuji, Executive Vice President of ANA’s Engineering and Maintenance Center, emphasized the importance of this initiative: "The introduction of AeroSHARK technology on our Boeing 777 aircraft marks a significant milestone in our sustainability strategy, in support of our broader goal of reducing carbon emissions across our fleet." (lufthansa-technik.com)
Dennis Kohr, Senior Vice President of Corporate Sales Asia Pacific at Lufthansa Technik, highlighted the cultural resonance of the technology: "Drawing inspiration from nature is deeply rooted in Japanese arts and culture. Therefore, what airline could be a better fit for our nature-inspired AeroSHARK than the world-famous ‘Inspiration of Japan’?" (lufthansa-technik.com)
This adoption aligns with ANA’s broader environmental strategy, including the "ANA Future Promise" initiative, which aims to promote a sustainable society and advance Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management practices. (lufthansa-technik.com)
Lufthansa Technik holds Supplemental Type Certificates for the AeroSHARK modification on various Boeing 777 models, with approximately 20 long-haul aircraft already operating with the technology worldwide. Ongoing efforts by BASF and Lufthansa Technik aim to further develop AeroSHARK to help more airlines achieve their sustainability goals. (lufthansa-technik.com)
ANA’s pioneering adoption of AeroSHARK technology underscores its commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship in the aviation industry.
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