Air New Zealand—Airbus’s First “Sharklet” Customer

The order by Air New Zealand for 14 new Airbus A320s to replace its short-haul jet fleet (reported this issue in News Briefs on Page 13) is the first for Airbus that will incorporate new 2.4-metre high winglets that Airbus has called “Sharklets”. As mentioned in the previous item concerning Richard Whitcomb, the inventor of winglets, the “Sharklets” have been designed to enhance the efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 Family.

According to Airbus, its Sharklets are expected to reduce fuel burn by at least 3.5 percent over longer sectors, with a corresponding reduction in annual CO₂ emissions of as much as 700 tonnes per aircraft. The A320 will be the first model fitted with Sharklets, which will be delivered around the end of 2012. These will be followed by the other A320 Family models from 2013.

The inclusion of the Sharklets on Air New Zealand’s aircraft is consistent with comments by the airline’s CEO Rob Fyfe in his recent “Green Skies” speech, about taking positive steps to reduce emissions and improve eco-efficiency. The Sharklets will enable Air New Zealands Airbus fleet to benefit from lower fuel burn and carbon emissions, both across Air New Zealand’s domestic network and especially on its longer trans-Tasman sectors.”

Airbus’s Chief Operating Officer—Customers, John Leahy, said that the Sharklets are not only part of Airbus’ response to addressing environmental issues and rising fuel costs, but they also enhance the aircraft’s overall performance.

Estimated payload-range benefits of the Sharklets include either a revenue payload increase of around 500 kg or an additional 100 nm range at the original payload. Importantly, the Sharklet installation also keeps the A320 Family within the ICAO “Class C” (wingspan less than 36 metres) and will result in higher available takeoff weights, notably from obstacle-limited runways. Furthermore, in situations where runway performance is not “limiting”, operators should profit from a reduction in average takeoff thrust (with consequent savings in engine maintenance costs by around two percent), while communities will also appreciate even lower takeoff noise. Other benefits are the enhanced climb performance and higher initial cruise altitude.