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LATAM expands AeroSHARK rollout across entire 777-300ER fleet

LATAM Airlines Group has extended its use of AeroSHARK, a fuel-saving riblet film developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, to cover the remainder of its 10-strong Boeing 777-300ER fleet.

LATAM was the first airline outside the Lufthansa Group to implement AeroSHARK, and by the end of 2025 half of its 777-300ER aircraft had already entered service with the technology. The final modification is scheduled for completion in 2027.

The airline initially installed the sharkskin-inspired film on its first aircraft in December 2023, ahead of any public announcement, to validate performance in day-to-day operations. After confirming a 1% reduction in fuel burn and emissions over nearly a year of service, LATAM ordered four additional shipsets in 2024. A further five shipsets in the latest agreement bring its total order to 10.

Once all aircraft are modified, LATAM will become the second airline worldwide to operate an entire subfleet equipped with the riblet technology.

Nicolas Seitz, head of fleet and projects at LATAM Airlines Group, said: “Expanding the use of AeroSHARK across our entire Boeing 777-300ER fleet is a clear example of how LATAM combines innovation, operational efficiency and sustainability in very concrete actions.

“The proven results achieved with the first aircraft give us the confidence to scale this solution, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining the highest operational standards.

“This initiative is fully aligned with our long-term strategy to operate a more efficient and sustainable fleet.”

AeroSHARK is a surface film designed to replicate the flow-optimised structure of sharkskin. Its microscopic riblets – around 50 micrometres in size – are aligned with the airflow to reduce drag.

For the 777-300ER, the film covers almost the entire fuselage and engine nacelles, amounting to roughly 950 sqm. Once fully deployed across the fleet, the 1% drag reduction is expected to generate annual savings of up to 4,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel and 12,000 metric tonnes of CO2 – equivalent to around 56 scheduled São Paulo–Miami flights on a Boeing 777.

Lufthansa Technik and BASF are continuing to expand AeroSHARK’s certification footprint beyond the Boeing 777-200ER, 777-300ER, 777F and 747-400, with entry into service on the Airbus A330ceo planned for 2026. Longer term, further surface expansion could unlock fuel savings of between 2% and 3%, according to initial projections.

READ MORE NEWS: Lufthansa Technik seeks AeroSHARK certification for A330

 

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