Vueling partners with MicroTau to trial ‘shark skin’ film in European first
May 26, 2025
Vueling has signed a deal with Australian aerospace startup MicroTau to become the first airline in Europe to back the certification of the company’s drag-reducing film, which is inspired by the texture of shark skin.
The technology could deliver fuel savings of up to 4% and forms part of the low-cost carrier’s wider sustainability ambitions.
The Barcelona-based airline has agreed a Letter of Intent with MicroTau to support the certification process for its Riblet Modification Package, an ultra-thin film designed for use on aircraft.
Once approved, Vueling intends to apply the material across its fleet to cut carbon emissions and improve overall aerodynamic performance.
MicroTau’s technology uses biomimicry to mimic the micro-grooved texture found on the surface of shark skin, which naturally reduces drag as the animal swims through water. In an aviation context, the same principle is applied to the aircraft’s outer surface, enabling smoother airflow and improved fuel efficiency, without needing structural modifications.
“The possibility of implementing MicroTau’s cutting-edge technology across our aircraft once it is certified will mark an important milestone in Vueling’s journey toward sustainable aviation. This innovation not only supports our goal of improving fuel efficiency but also reinforces our commitment to reducing our CO2 emissions through forward-thinking solutions,” said Franc Sanmartí, Director of Sustainability at Vueling.
“Our partnership with MicroTau will be an important part of how we achieve our sustainability goals both in the short and long term, as we work to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and move towards a more sustainable future for the aviation industry,” he added.
MicroTau CEO Henry Bilinsky said: “Efficiency is hard-won in aviation, with most decarbonisation solutions decades away from implementation or carrying a substantial cost premium.
“MicroTau is laser-focused on delivering our end-to-end riblet solution to aircraft operators to reduce emissions and save operational costs in the process, and it’s fantastic to have Vueling on board as a key customer and partner to make this happen.”
The collaboration is part of a broader environmental strategy at Vueling, which includes the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), weight-reduction measures across its fleet, and efforts to optimise routing and flight planning to further cut emissions.
