Lufthansa Technik Nears A330 AeroSHARK Certification

Lufthansa Technik has entered the final certification phase to secure approval for modifying Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft with its AeroSHARK film. The company announced on September 9, 2026, that an A330 from Discover Airlines will be the first Airbus aircraft worldwide to be equipped with the innovative, shark skin-inspired technology.

Over several weeks, the Discover Airlines widebody will undergo test flights as Lufthansa Technik seeks a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This follows the company's prior achievement in August 2025, when it gained approval to upgrade Boeing 777-300ER, 777-200ER, and 777F aircraft with the same advanced film.

Tapping into a Large Fleet

Lufthansa Technik has stated that with around 1,000 A330-200 and -300 aircraft in service globally, the potential for operational cost savings and substantial environmental benefits is vast. Grazia Vittadini, CTO at Lufthansa Group, called AeroSHARK an excellent example of innovations from the group making concrete contributions to greater efficiency and lower emissions.

"With the planned certification for the Airbus A330ceo, we are tapping into the potential of another significant portion of the global long-haul fleets," Vittadini said. The company notes the A330 is the world's second-most-delivered long-haul aircraft model and will continue to shape existing fleets for many years.

How the Shark Skin Technology Works

The AeroSHARK technology, developed by Lufthansa Technik and Surventis, mimics the structure of shark skin. The special surface film is applied to the aircraft's fuselage and engine nacelles. It works by reducing aerodynamic drag during flight, which in turn lowers fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

The current certification process includes extensive technical documentation, ground tests, flight tests, and final in-service validation during regular flight operations. Lufthansa Technik has also teamed up with Mastercard over this project phase in a joint drive to contribute to more efficient and sustainable aviation.

Current Fleet Adoption

As of August 2026, the Lufthansa Group has already equipped 22 aircraft with AeroSHARK technology. The carriers that have adopted the film for their Boeing 777s include LATAM, SWISS, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways (ANA), and EVA Air.

In a separate development, Lufthansa Technik announced in July 2026 that testing has begun on an Airbus A319 fitted with AeroSHARK from its subsidiary, Lufthansa City Airlines. This indicates the company's broader ambition to expand the technology's application across different aircraft types.