Austrian Airlines Introduces Sharkskin Aircraft for a Greener Future Austrian Airlines has taken a major step towards sustainability by introducing AeroSHARK technology on its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. This innovative surface technology, inspired by sharkskin, aims to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by minimizing frictional resistance during flight. The first modified aircraft, registered OE-LPC, completed its inaugural flight from Bangkok to Vienna on January 14, 2025. By March 2025, Austrian Airlines plans to retrofit three more Boeing 777-200ERs with this cutting-edge feature, making them the first airline to apply this technology to this aircraft model. The sharkskin-inspired Riblet film covers 830 square meters of the aircraft’s fuselage and engine nacelles, improving aerodynamics. This results in annual savings of approximately 2,650 tonnes of fuel and over 8,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of 46 round-trip flights between Vienna and New York. Austrian Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer, Francesco Sciortino, highlighted the airline’s commitment to sustainability, stating, “Reducing our CO2 emissions in flight operations is at the center of our sustainability efforts. The application of the ‘sharkskin’ developed by Lufthansa Technik is an important investment that will enable us to fly our long-haul aircraft more efficiently.” This achievement was made possible through Lufthansa Technik, which secured an EASA certification extension for applying AeroSHARK to Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. Harald Gloy, COO of Lufthansa Technik, emphasized the broader impact of this technology, stating that it will help airlines worldwide enhance efficiency and achieve environmental goals. AeroSHARK, co-developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, features ultra-fine transparent riblets (about 50 micrometers in size) that mimic sharkskin’s natural aerodynamic properties, leading to better airflow and fuel efficiency. This innovation aligns with the Lufthansa Group’s sustainability objectives, as Austrian Airlines aims for a 30.6% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. With aviation’s growing focus on eco-friendly solutions, Austrian Airlines is setting a new standard for sustainable air travel. The implementation of AeroSHARK technology not only enhances fuel efficiency but also demonstrates how biomimicry-inspired innovations can reshape the future of aviation.
