LATAM Airlines Group is set to retrofit four more Boeing 777 aircraft with AeroSHARK, a surface film technology designed to reduce fuel consumption. This decision follows the success of a test conducted on one of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which has been in operation since December 2023. LATAM is the first airline outside the Lufthansa Group and the Americas to adopt this technology.
The AeroSHARK film, developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, mimics the structure of sharkskin. It is applied to the aircraft’s fuselage and engine nacelles, reducing drag and leading to a reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by about one percent. This reduction translates into significant annual savings for LATAM Airlines Brazil’s five modified Boeing 777 aircraft, amounting to up to 2,000 metric tons of kerosene and 6,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, the equivalent of around 28 flights from São Paulo to Miami.
LATAM’s Director of Fleet and Projects, Sebastián Acuto, emphasised the importance of this move in line with the airline’s sustainability goals. “Our fleet modernization strategy is a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainability and our vision of achieving net zero by 2050. We remain focused on innovation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, ensuring our fleet evolves in line with our environmental goals,” he said.
Lufthansa Technik confirmed the effectiveness of the AeroSHARK technology, with Robin Johansson, Senior Director of Sales for Latin America and the Caribbean, commenting on the growing interest from airlines. “LATAM’s decision confirms once again: AeroSHARK works. This further encourages us to use our engineering skills and innovative strength to contribute to aviation with lower CO₂ emissions,” he stated.
The partnership between Lufthansa Technik and BASF continues to advance the development of AeroSHARK, with future plans for approvals on larger surface areas of the Boeing 777-300ER and 777F models, as well as other aircraft types. Lufthansa Technik recently extended the use of the technology to Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. Including LATAM’s first modified 777-300ER, a total of 21 aircraft globally are now equipped with AeroSHARK, with more modifications planned. LATAM’s next aircraft modification is expected in November.
This initiative marks a continued effort by airlines, including LATAM, to adopt sustainable technologies as part of their broader environmental strategies.
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