Lufthansa Technik has begun its flight testing for next generation of AeroSHARK surface technology on a A319, aiming to expand the fuel-saving innovation beyond fuselages and engine cowlings to aircraft wings and tail surfaces.
The test programme, conducted in partnership with Surventis, involves around 70 transparent film patches applied to a Lufthansa City Airlines A319 operating regular services between Munich and Hamburg through February 2027. The evaluation is expected to provide valuable data for the further development of the biomimetic technology and support broader applications that could improve aircraft fuel efficiency.
The transparent patches, each measuring 20 x 20 centimetres, have been installed on selected sections of the aircraft’s fuselage and on both the inner and outer surfaces of the engine cowlings. During the trial, Lufthansa Technik will monitor how different material compositions perform under real-world operating conditions, assessing their durability, ease of application, cleaning characteristics and residue-free removal during routine maintenance inspections.
Also Read – Accuris launches AI-powered BOM Intelligence to strengthen engineering and supply chain decisions
The latest research marks the next phase of AeroSHARK’s development. The specially engineered surface film features grooves approximately 50 micrometres high that are aligned with the airflow, reducing aerodynamic drag and lowering fuel consumption. The technology currently delivers fuel savings and carbon dioxide emissions reductions of around one per cent on every flight.
Lufthansa Technik and Surventis are using the Airbus A319 trial to identify the optimal material configuration for future applications that could unlock additional aerodynamic gains and further improve aircraft operating efficiency.
The technology has already seen widespread deployment across the Lufthansa Group’s long-haul fleet. As of July 2026, 22 aircraft have been equipped with AeroSHARK, including the entire fleet of 12 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft operated by SWISS, five Boeing 777F freighters operated by Lufthansa Cargo, four Boeing 777-200ER aircraft operated by Austrian Airlines, and one Lufthansa Boeing 747-400.
According to the Lufthansa Group, the AeroSHARK-equipped fleet collectively saves around 19 metric tonnes of fuel and reduces approximately 60 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every day. The technology is also gaining wider industry adoption, with airlines outside the Lufthansa Group implementing the drag-reducing film to improve the fuel efficiency of their long-haul aircraft.
