ANA’s first 777 with emissions-reducing Aeroshark film enters service

All Nippon Airways has applied the low-drag AeroShark surface film on a single Boeing 777 freighter, becoming the second Asian operator to use the film on its aircraft. The first 777F with the AeroShark film (JA771F) entered service on 3 September, operating a flight from Tokyo Narita to Chicago. ANA adds that it intends to apply the film on a passenger 777-300ER (JA796A), which will enter service early next year. ANA worked with AeroShark developer Lufthansa Technik for the application of the film on its 777F. “As ANA begins operations with two Boeing 777 equipped with [AeroShark] films, the airline will validate the effectiveness of this technology in ANA’s daily operation, with plans to expand its use across other aircraft of the same type,” the Star Alliance carrier states. The film, measuring 50 micormilimeters thick, replicates shark skin, and reduces aerodynamic drag on the airframe, lowering fuel consumption and emissions by 1-2%. About 830sq m of the film will be used to cover the fuselage and engine nacelles.<br/>