IAG budget airline Vueling plans to become the first European customer of fuel-saving sharkskin coatings developed by Australian company Microtau.
Covered by letters of intent between pairs, this agreement shows Vueling in favour of Microtau's Riblet Modification Package (RMP) certification for future applications to the narrow body fleet of future carriers.
Microtau advocates the technology that underpins RMP. This is a microscopic groove-covered film applied to fuselages, wings, duties and engine nacelles, which improves aerodynamic performance and reduces fuel combustion and carbon emissions by up to 4%.
According to the company, the films needed for a typical narrow body weigh around 60-80kg (132-176lb) and for wide bodies it has risen to 200-300kg.
Sydney-based Microtau has previously signed a contract with Delta Air Lines to test technology for the trial with Lockheed Martin C-130J to test the technology of the Boeing 767 Fleet and the US Air Force.
Lufthansa Technik and Chemical Giant BASF have developed a similar product called Aeroshark.
