Delta Air Lines has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aero Design Labs to test novel technology to further reduce aircraft emissions. Delta will have the option to purchase Aero Design Labs ADRS drag reduction kits for their Boeing 737-800 and 737-900 fleets.
On Monday (November 14, 2022), Delta Air Lines announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Aero Design Labs to test novel technology to further reduce aircraft emissions. The MoU includes testing and FAA certification of Aero Design Labs’ ADRS drag reduction kit for Delta’s Boeing 737-800NG fleet starting in the first quarter of 2023, followed by the carrier’s Boeing 737-900NG fleet during the second half of the year. Once certified, Delta will have the option to purchase the kits to outfit over 200 aircraft in both fleets. The ADRS kit includes a range of modifications to reduce drag around the fuselage such as the wing-to-body aft fairing, modified flap track fairing tips, revised wheel-well fairings, and strategically positioned vortex generators.
In Monday’s announcement, Delta Air Lines’ Chief Sustainability Officer, Pam Fletcher, said,
“This is part of Delta's overall approach to taking short-, medium-, and long-term actions to reach our goal of net zero by 2050. Our partnership with Aero Design Labs is a great example of how Delta continues to invest in new ways to modify our operations to make an immediate impact on our carbon footprint today, while we work on longer-term solutions to decarbonize our industry.”
Also commenting on the new sustainability partnership, Aero Design Labs’ Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Jones, said,
“Delta Air Lines has a proven history of leading the industry in innovation and we are proud to formalize our agreement and partner in the process to achieve FAA certification. This is a partnership formed by Delta and Aero Design Labs to contribute to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) net zero 2050 carbon reduction targets.”
Delta’s SVP – TechOps Operations & Supply Chain Management, Mahendra Nair, added,
“Delta is excited to expand our partnership with ADL to test and certify both the 737-900ER and 737-800NG drag reduction kits, continuing our investment in fuel efficiency and sustainability improvements.”
For 2022, Delta expects to have reduced fuel consumption by over 10 million gallons through operational and fleet modifications, including the optimization of flight speeds, improved landing procedures, the installation of advanced winglets and lightweight landing gear tires.
Example of Airflow Before and After Modification - Video Credit: Daniel Silva/Aero Design Labs
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is the global U.S. airline leader in safety, innovation, reliability and customer experience. The carrier operates over 4,000 daily flights across more than 275 destinations on six continents. Delta has over 80,000 team members and has served as many as 200 million customers annually. For the last decade, the carrier has led the industry in operational excellence, while maintaining their reputation for award-winning customer service.
Source(s): Delta Air Lines, Aero Design Labs