Lufthansa Technik AG has announced EVA Air as the first Asian airline having applied AeroSHARK technology to its aircraft.
This innovative AeroSHARK technology enables a reduction in drag during flight.
Moreover, this translates to reduced fuel consumption for aircraft fitted with it. Thus, benefiting airline operators and the environment.
EVA AIR ADDS AEROSHARK TECHNOLOGY TO CARGO FLEET
Lufthansa Technik says that a one percent fuel saving and emissions reduction is expected for aircraft fitted with sharkskin-modified technology.
The Taipei-based airline has decided to have its entire cargo fleet fitted with the innovative riblet films covering the aircraft’s fuselage and engine nacelles.
EVA Air cargo fleet is comprised of nine Boeing 777F long-range freighters.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Lufthansa Technik in applying the fuel-saving AeroSHARK surface technology to our 777F freighters. This innovation not only reduces fuel consumption but also lowers CO2 emissions. EVA Air will continuously monitor the actual fuel-saving benefits and further evaluate additional aircraft to be equipped with this technology.” said Albert Liao, Executive Vice President Corporate Planning Division at EVA Air.
EVA AIR AIRCRAFT FITTED WITH AEROSHARK TECHNOLOGY
One of EVA Air’s freighters has already undergone this comprehensive modification at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport.
Closely guided by Lufthansa Technik, the modification was executed by Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation (EGAT). This is one of EVA Air’s affiliates.
The aircraft is expected to re-enter commercial service in early September.
“EVA Air is well known for both its pioneering spirit and its technical expertise, hence we are all the more pleased that we succeeded in convincing them about the benefits of AeroSHARK, the world’s most advanced sharkskin product for the commercial aviation industry,” said Dr. Wassef Ayadi, Senior Director Customer Relations OEM & Special Engineering Services at Lufthansa Technik.
WORKING ON SUSTAINABILITY GOALS
The Taiwanese carrier is making concerted efforts to reduce its fuel spend and its environmental impact.
“EVA Air is continually progressing towards its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, constantly seeking the latest technologies to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Albert Liao, Executive Vice President Corporate Planning Division at EVA Air.
In initial model calculations, the sharkskin technology could even avoid CO2 emissions of up to three percent in its maximum expansion stage.
AEROSHARK TECHNOLOGY
Lufthansa Technik and BASF have set themselves the goal of further developing AeroSHARK.
This is in order to support many more airlines around the world in achieving their sustainability goals.
Current development priorities include approvals for additional aircraft types and also for ever larger surface areas.
“We are proud that with AeroSHARK we can provide international pioneers like EVA Air with a real quick-win measure to reduce the environmental footprint of their operations.” Lufthansa Technik’s Ayadi said.
Earlier this year Swiss decided to apply the film which replicates the hydrodynamic skin of a shark to its Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
The film has been shown to improve aircraft performance and reduce carbon emissions during flight.
ALSO READ: SWISS implements AeroSHARK technology on its Boeing 777 fleet
