All Nippon Airways (ANA), a member of the Star Alliance and Japan's largest airline for 12 consecutive years, will be the first airline in Asia to install and operate AeroSHARK, a riblet film developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, on its Boeing 777 aircraft.

And they will be the first airline in the world operating a 777 with this innovation on both cargo and passenger aircraft. ANA will put the passenger 777-300ER with the AeroSHARK technology into commercial operations this week.

This will be ANA's second installation of the riblet technology after a 777 freighter equipped with the technology has been operating since September 2024. AeroSHARK film, inspired by the shark skin structures, minimizes friction resistance, reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

ANA has verified this effect since the first aircraft were flown into service, and has established the technology reduces consumption and emissions by about 1%.

“The implementation of the AeroSHARK technology on more ANA aircraft represents our ongoing commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and improve operational efficiency,” said Kohei Tsuji, executive vice president, engineering and maintenance center at ANA.

“This innovative technology is building a more sustainable future for ANA and the aviation industry.” “ANA’s implementation of AeroSHARK on both freighter and passenger aircraft highlights the potential of retrofitting existing fleets to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact,” said Joern Dahmen, senior director special engineering services at Lufthansa Technik.

As the riblet technology is implemented on passenger planes, sponsor logos will be placed near the door, and sample products will be set up on board for customers to experience the riblet technology.