Lufthansa Technik is moving forward with the expansion of its AeroSHARK surface technology to the Airbus A330 family. The modification process is currently underway at the Elbe Flugzeugwerke facility in Dresden, where the first A330-300 operated by Discover Airlines is receiving the specialized film coating.
This application marks a significant step in the certification process for the Airbus widebody. The surface technology, developed in collaboration with Surventis, is designed to reduce aerodynamic drag, aiming to lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions for long-haul operators. While the system is already certified and operational on the Boeing 777 fleet, this project marks its debut on an Airbus platform.
Following the completion of the modification work, the aircraft will undergo an extensive series of test flights over the coming weeks. These flights are essential for obtaining a Supplemental Type Certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for both the A330-200 and A330-300 variants. Given the large global footprint of the A330 fleet, this development represents a key technical milestone for airlines looking to improve the efficiency of their existing long-haul assets.