Is this a flight into a new era of aviation? At 1:39 p.m. on Friday, Switzerland flew a Boeing 777 to Miami. As the world’s first passenger aircraft with the new Aero Shark technology.
A transparent film adhered to the hull and engines mimics the modern features of shark skin. Thus, it reduces fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions during flight. The federal government supports the project through private funding for environmental projects.
All fleet equipped
“The use of Aero-Shark is an example of how we can make flying more sustainable with innovative technology,” says Swiss CEO Dieter Vranckx (50). «Our fleet is currently one of the most modern and CO₂ efficient in Europe. Thanks to Aero-Shark, we can further improve this balance.”
Shark skin is a film jointly developed by Lufthansa Technik and the chemical company BASF, with tiny ribs, thereby reducing frictional resistance during flight. Over the next few months, all twelve aircraft in Switzerland’s Boeing 777 fleet will be equipped with the film. (pbe)