Wing tips fly to the rescue of aircraft emissions

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has this week announced plans to attach new wing tip devices to all its A320 aircraft as part of an initiative to curb fuel use by 3.5 per cent, resulting in an estimated annual saving of 700 tonnes of fuel for each aircraft.

The so-called "sharklet" wing tips will be fitted to Air New Zealand A320 aircraft from 2012 and all other models from 2013, the company said.

"Sharklets are not just part of Airbus's response to addressing environmental issues and rising fuel costs, they also enhance overall aircraft performance," said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, explaining that the new design would increase the lift generated at the wing tip and reduce the drag caused by wing tip vortices.

The company said that as well as improving the aircraft's fuel efficiency, the devices also allow for higher takeoff weights, enhanced climb performance, higher initial cruise altitude and a two per cent saving in engine maintenance costs as a result of lower average takeoff thrust.

Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe said the sharklets would enable " lower fuel burn and carbon emissions, both across Air New Zealand's domestic network and especially on the longer trans-Tasman sectors".

The move is the latest in a range of environmental initiatives from Airbus, which announced earlier this year that up to 5,000 new A320 aircraft would be equipped with longer-life LED lighting on the wing tips, saving about $30,000 (£18,000) per aircraft over the life of the plane.