TOKYO- All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline and a recipient of the prestigious 5-star rating for 12 consecutive years, has achieved a significant aviation milestone.
On April 28, 2025, ANA became the first airline in Asia to operate a Boeing 777 passenger aircraft equipped with AeroSHARK. It is an innovative fuel-saving riblet film jointly developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF. This implementation also marks the first worldwide use of this technology across both passenger and cargo variants of the Boeing 777 aircraft type.
Photo- Toshiro Aoki; Wikimedia CommonsANA Boeing 777 With AeroSHARK
The newly equipped Boeing 777-300ER (registration JA796A) commenced commercial operations today. This joins with ANA’s existing Boeing 777 Freighter (registration JA771F) that has been utilising the same technology since September 2024.
This dual implementation across both aircraft types represents a significant advancement in ANA’s operational efficiency strategy.
The AeroSHARK film technology draws inspiration from the microscopic structure of shark skin, which naturally reduces hydrodynamic resistance (drag). When applied to aircraft surfaces, the specially designed film creates similar benefits in the air by minimising frictional resistance between the aircraft exterior and surrounding airflow.
This reduction in aerodynamic drag directly translates to decreased fuel consumption and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
Since implementing the technology on its first aircraft last year, ANA has conducted comprehensive performance verification. Data collected from these operations has confirmed the technology delivers approximately a 1% reduction in both fuel consumption and emissions – a significant efficiency gain for wide-body long-haul operations.
Photo- Lufthansa TechnikExecutive Remarks
ANA is strategically focused on adopting innovative solutions to address environmental challenges within the aviation industry.
“The implementation of the AeroSHARK technology on more ANA aircraft represents our ongoing commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and improve operational efficiency.”
Kohei Tsuji, Executive Vice President of the Engineering and Maintenance Center, ANA
Joern Dahmen, Senior Director of Special Engineering Services at Lufthansa Technik, highlighted the broader implications of this technology adoption: “ANA’s implementation of AeroSHARK on both freighter and passenger aircraft highlights the potential of retrofitting existing fleets to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.”
“We are proud to support ANA in their efforts to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to more sustainable aviation.”
Joern Dahmen, Senior Director of Special Engineering Services, Lufthansa Technik
To increase passenger awareness and engagement with this environmental technology, ANA has implemented several educational components aboard the newly equipped passenger aircraft.
Promotional decals have been applied to the door area, and sample products have been installed within the cabin. These interactive elements allow passengers to directly experience the riblet technology, creating a tangible connection to the airline’s sustainability efforts.
Photo- ANAFuture Expansion Plans
ANA has announced plans to expand this technology across additional aircraft of the same type within its fleet. This broader implementation aligns with the ANA Group’s medium and long-term environmental objectives.
The growing industry adoption of this technology is evident in Lufthansa Technik’s regulatory approvals. The company currently holds Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for AeroSHARK modifications across various Boeing 777 variants, enabling airlines worldwide to implement this fuel-saving solution.
Approximately 28 long-haul aircraft globally now operate with this technology, with continuous growth in adoption anticipated.
Photo- Lufthansa TechnikOngoing Development
BASF and Lufthansa Technik maintain their commitment to further developing the AeroSHARK technology to support additional airlines in achieving their sustainability goals.
Current development efforts focus on expanding regulatory approvals to include additional aircraft types and increasing the surface area coverage to maximise efficiency benefits.
This innovative approach to improving existing aircraft efficiency through surface modification represents an important step in aviation’s ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational performance.
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The post ANA Now First Airline in Asia to Deploy New AeroSHARK Tech on 777 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
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