Lufthansa Technik has announced that LATAM Airlines Group has become the first external customer and carrier based in the Americas region to use its fuel-saving AeroSHARK film technology.

Since December 2023, a modified aircraft has recorded an approximately 1% reduction in jet fuel consumption in daily operations. Based on this positive result, LATAMsays it now plans to retrofit four more Boeing 777 aircraft with AeroSHARK.

Sebastián Acuto, director of fleet and projects at LATAM Airlines Group, said: “Our fleet modernisation strategy is a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainability and our vision of achieving net zero by 2050.

“We remain focused on innovation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, ensuring our fleet evolves in line with our environmental goals.”

AeroSHARK film features 50 micrometres in size ‘riblets’ which, although almost invisible, can deliver significant fuel and emissions savings.

For LATAM Airlines Brazil’s five Boeing 777-300ER that will be equipped with AeroSHARK, this translates to expected annual savings of up to 2,000 metric tonnes of kerosene and 6,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to approximately 28 scheduled flights from São Paulo to Miami on a Boeing 777.

Robin Johansson, senior director of sales Latin America and Caribbean at Lufthansa Technik, said: “LATAM’s decision confirms once again: AeroSHARK works. This further encourages us to use our engineering skills and innovative strength to contribute to aviation with lower CO2 emissions.

“We look forward to collaborating with more customers globally and applying our fuel-saving sharkskin technology to even more aircraft.”

READ MORE NEWS: ANA becomes first airline to equip both passenger and freighter 777s with AeroSHARK