EVA Air’s entire fleet of nine 777F will be equipped with Lufthansa Technik’s and BASF’s AeroSHARK riblet films.
In a landmark move for the Asian aviation industry, EVA Air has become the first airline in the region to implement Lufthansa Technik’s cutting-edge AeroSHARK surface technology. The Taipei-based carrier has comprehensively modified its fleet of nine Boeing 777F long-haul freighters, applying the innovative AeroSHARK riblet films to the aircraft’s fuselage and engine nacelles.
This breakthrough technology, developed in partnership with BASF, mimics the drag-reducing properties of sharkskin. The first of these freighters, registered as B-16786, has already completed the modification process at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, under the meticulous guidance of Lufthansa Technik and carried out by EVA Air’s affiliate, Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. (EGAT). This aircraft is slated to return to commercial service in early September.
AeroSHARK’s riblet films, which feature micro-ribs approximately 50 micrometers in size, significantly reduce aerodynamic drag, leading to fuel savings and decreased emissions. The technology is projected to cut EVA Air’s fuel consumption by around one percent per aircraft, translating to an annual reduction of over 2,500 metric tons of kerosene and a decrease of more than 7,800 metric tons of CO2 emissions across the fleet.
Albert Liao, Executive Vice President Corporate Planning Division, EVA Air, said “EVA Air is continually progressing towards its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, constantly seeking the latest technologies to reduce our carbon footprint. We are delighted to collaborate with Lufthansa Technik in applying the fuel-saving AeroSHARK surface technology to our 777F freighters. This innovation not only reduces fuel consumption but also lowers CO2 emissions. EVA Air will continuously monitor the actual fuel saving benefits and further evaluate additional aircraft to be equipped with this technology.”
Currently, Lufthansa Technik holds Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for AeroSHARK modifications on two types of Boeing 777, with a growing number of aircraft globally already benefiting from this technology. EVA Air’s initiative reflects a broader trend towards sustainability in aviation, with the airline planning to retrofit its entire 777 fleet with AeroSHARK by 2027. This pioneering effort not only highlights EVA Air’s leadership in environmental stewardship but also sets a new standard for the aviation industry in Asia and beyond.
Dr. Wassef Ayadi, Senior Director Customer Relations OEM & Special Engineering Services, Lufthansa Technik, said, “EVA Air is well known for both its pioneering spirit and its technical expertise, hence we are all the more pleased that we succeeded in convincing them about the benefits of AeroSHARK, the world’s most advanced sharkskin product for the commercial aviation industry, We are proud that with AeroSHARK we can provide international pioneers like EVA Air with a real quick-win measure to reduce the environmental the footprint of their operations.”
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Lufthansa Technik and BASF aim to advance AeroSHARK technology to help more airlines meet their sustainability targets. Their development focus includes gaining approvals for additional aircraft types and expanding coverage areas. In preliminary models, AeroSHARK could potentially reduce CO2 emissions by up to three percent at its maximum deployment.
