Air NZ and Airbus launch "sharklets" in bid to save more fuel

Airbus A320 with Sharklets

Airbus has launched a new type of winglet for its popular A320 family of aircraft, and is available as a forward-fit option which is designed to increase fuel efficiency by 3.5%.

Launched in conjunction with Air New Zealand, who will launch the technology on its aircraft in 2012, the companies showed off the devices at this year's Dubai Air Show.

Airbus estimates that the new US$1.2 million "sharklet" winglets will save operators US$220,000 a year per aircraft, as well as some 700 tonnes of carbon emissions.

"Air New Zealand recently decided to move to an all A320 fleet for narrow-body operations on domestic and short-haul international routes," said Rob Fyfe, Air New Zealand CEO.

"The new Sharklets will enable our Airbus fleet to benefit from lower fuel burn and carbon emissions, both across Air New Zealand's domestic network and especially on the longer trans-Tasman sectors.

Air New Zealand announces this partnership after recently announcing that it's blended winglets on its Boeing wideboy 767-300ER were achieving a much higher than expected 19% saving on fuel.