TAP Air Portugal and AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings have announced the successful completion of trials testing a lighter aircraft basecoat that reduces aircraft weight and fuel usage.

These operational trials showcased how Aerobase UPD reduces basecoat film thickness by 36% while also offering benefits like:

• Single-coat application
• Strong durability
• High-quality finish

Tests of the new Aerobase UPD formula show the ability to reduce coating weight by up to 26 kilograms per aircraft and save around 428.5 tons of fuel after fleet-wide application.

By reducing fuel usage, the lightweight coating can also help achieve annual cost savings of over €500,000 and carbon dioxide emissions by around 1,353 tons.

TAP Air Portugal Structures Engineer João Carvalho said, “We continuously evaluate opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact across our operations.”

Carvalho continued, “The results achieved through this collaboration with AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings demonstrate how relatively small weight reductions, when applied consistently across aircraft fleets, could contribute to meaningful long-term fuel and emissions savings, while also supporting operational efficiency.”

Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business Patrick Bourguignon said, “By reducing total film build and simplifying the application process, Aerobase UPD helps operators lower aircraft weight, improve paint shop productivity and maintain the high quality finish standards required across commercial aviation fleets.”

Bourguignon added, “This program with TAP Air Portugal clearly demonstrates how incremental innovations in coating technology can deliver measurable operational benefits and emissions savings for airlines.”

Aerobase UPD integrates with Aerobase hardeners and the Aerobase activator, so MROs and paint shops can implement it easily. The formula is also certified to AMS3095 standards for global mixed-fleet MRO operations.