WestJet has partnered with Texas-based aerospace engineering start-up Aero Design Labs (ADL) to modify the airline's 737-700 NG aircraft with drag reduction kits that promise reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency.

A little bit of drag reduction goes a long way on an aircraft – as the 737 winglet retrofit showed -- with benefits including reduced overall fuel burn and lower carbon emissions. With fuel prices at historic heights, every little bit counts.

The Aero Design Labs team created the Aerodynamic Drag Reduction System (ADRS 1) for the Boeing 737-700 fleet. WestJet was a key partner in the installation, certification and validation of the product.

The airline and Aero Design Labs worked together to gather data and findings which drove additional modifications and feedback on the technology, which will be installed on the aircraft once approved by Transport Canada for commercial use.

Jeff Martin, ADL president and CEO, provided insights into the benefits of the product in an interview with Aviation Week.

“Each kit will provide a different benefit based on the carrier’s fleet composition and how they fly the aircraft,” he adds. “Based on our computational fluid dynamics results, we are targeting a 1.5% carbon reduction with the 737-700, and we expect additional gains on the 737-800 and 737-900.”

Martin says each retrofitted aircraft will produce 40 tons less CO2 and save an estimated $12,000 in fuel cost each month, based on current pricing.

"We are delighted that WestJet as the largest 737NG operator in Canada chose to partner with ADL as the launch customer on the 737-700 using our ADRS1 Kit that we have developed for the 737NG family,” said Chris Jones, Chief Commercial Officer at Aero Design Labs.

“This starts the journey today towards WestJet's commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050."

"With one of North America's youngest and most efficient fleets, WestJet continues to make significant investments to make air travel more sustainable," said Diederik Pen, WestJet Chief Operating Officer.

ADL is optimistic about placing the ADRS-1 kit with a large percentage of the 737NG in-service fleet, which currently includes more than 5,200 aircraft,

WestJet's partnership with Aero Design Labs comes as the airline furthers its efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Following regulatory approvals, WestJet says it will continue to work with Aero Design labs to determine further fleet implementation plans and to validate data and efficiency findings.