All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-star airline for 12 consecutive years, will be the first company in Asia to use AeroSHARK, a fuel-saving riblet film developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, on its Boeing 777 passenger aircraft.
In addition, ANA will be the first airline worldwide to use the Boeing 777 with this technology on both cargo and passenger aircraft. A Boeing 777-300ER equipped with the innovation will begin commercial operations with ANA today.
This is ANA’s second aircraft (JA796A) with the technology. ANA has operated a Boeing 777 Freighter (JA771F) with the riblet technology since September 2024.
The AeroSHARK film, inspired by the structure of shark skin, reduces frictional resistance, decreases fuel consumption and CO2 Promotion Decalemissions. ANA has verified this effect since the first aircraft entered service and has confirmed the technology reduces consumption and emissions by approximately 1%.
“The implementation of the AeroSHARK technology on more ANA aircraft represents our ongoing commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and improve operational efficiency,” said Kohei Tsuji, executive vice president, engineering and maintenance center at ANA. “This innovative technology is building a more sustainable future for ANA and the aviation industry.”
“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,” said Joern Dahmen, senior director special engineering services at Lufthansa Technik. “We are proud to support ANA in their efforts to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to more sustainable aviation.”
Since the riblet technology will be used on passenger aircraft, promotional decals will be applied to the door area and sample products will be installed on board so that customers can directly touch and feel the riblet technology.
ANA will continue to expand this technology to other aircraft of the same type to achieve the ANA Group’s medium- to long-term environmental goals. ANA will continue to promote sustainability management through various measures through “ANA Future Promise” initiative which aims to realize a sustainable society.
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 28 long-haul aircraft are already operating with the technology in worldwide service, and this number is growing steadily.
BASF and Lufthansa Technik moreover remain committed to further developing AeroSHARK to help more airlines achieve their sustainability goals. Current efforts include expanding approvals to additional aircraft types and covering larger surface areas.
