Lufthansa Technik has received approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to conduct flight tests of its AeroSHARK biomimetic surface film on an Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The testing program is currently underway in Dresden, Germany, using a Discover Airlines plane to evaluate performance, safety, and operational reliability.
The AeroSHARK system consists of a polymer film featuring micro-grooves approximately 50 micrometers wide, designed to mimic the structure of shark skin. By organizing airflow and reducing surface friction drag, the technology aims to improve aerodynamic efficiency. The film is applied to the exterior of the aircraft fuselage.
According to Lufthansa Technik, the current version of the technology reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions by approximately 1% per flight. The company estimates that extending the application to wings and tail surfaces could potentially increase these efficiency gains to 2%.
The technology has already received commercial certification for use on Boeing 777 freighter and passenger aircraft. Lufthansa Group has accumulated hundreds of thousands of flight hours using the system across its long-haul fleet, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Engineers are currently developing next-generation materials intended for broader coverage, including engine nacelles, wings, and horizontal and vertical stabilizers. As airlines face stricter emission regulations, the adoption of such biomimetic solutions is becoming a key strategy for improving fleet efficiency.
