Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) has welcomed its first Boeing 777F equipped with Lufthansa Technik’s drag-reducing and fuel-saving AeroSHARK surface film technology.

It makes ANA the first individual airline to operate both passenger and freighter variants of the Boeing 777 with the film.

The first modified Boeing 777F began scheduled cargo flights on September 2 and ANA says it has plans to extend the AeroSHARK technology to a passenger aircraft by next spring.

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

The contracted Boeing 777F and 777-300ER aircraft will have nearly the entire fuselage covered with the film, resulting in estimated annual savings of approximately 250 metric tonnes of fuel and 800 metric tonnes of CO2 for each aircraft.

Kohei Tsuji, member of the board and executive vice president, engineering and maintenance centre at ANA, said: “The introduction of AeroSHARK technology on our Boeing 777 aircraft marks a significant milestone in our sustainability strategy, in support of our broader goal of reducing carbon emissions across our fleet.

“We are proud to be the first airline in the world to implement this innovative technology to both passenger and freighter version of the Boeing 777, reinforcing our dedication to delivering excellence and reducing our carbon footprint.”

Dennis Kohr, senior vice president of corporate sales Asia Pacific at Lufthansa Technik, said: “We are delighted to extend our long-lasting and fruitful cooperation with All Nippon Airways onto a proven solution to reduce their carbon footprint. I am confident that AeroSHARK will support ANA in becoming an ever-greener ‘Inspiration of Japan’.”

Lufthansa Technik currently holds Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for the AeroSHARK modification of various types of Boeing 777, which is now being adopted by various airlines across the globe.

Approximately 20 long-haul aircraft are already operating with the technology in worldwide service with Lufthansa Technik expecting this number to grow steadily.

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