Romanian Airliner Tarom Eyes Winglet Devices To Cut Costs By $650,000

"Using Winglet devices on the company’s four Boeing 737-700 aircrafts will reduce fuel consumption by nearly 1,000 metric tons a year, which translates into savings of nearly $650,000. Tarom’s four Boeing 737-700 aircrafts fly nearly 12,000 hours a year," the company said in a press release.

Tarom’s measure is part of the company’s strategy to cut costs and enhance flight operations, with respect to fuel consumption on the one hand, and the impact of aircrafts on the environment.

Currently, Tarom also owns three Boeing 737-800 aircrafts already manufactured with Winglets.

Winglet systems will be supplied by Aviation Partners Boeing, which has equipped over 3,000 Boeing aircrafts worldwide with this system.

Wingtip devices are usually intended to improve the efficiency of fixed-wing aircrafts. There are several types of devices and though they function in different manners, the intended effect is to reduce the aircraft’s drag by altering the airflow near the wingtips. Wingtip devices can also improve aircraft handling characteristics and enhance safety for following aircraft. Such devices increase the effective aspect ratio of a wing without materially increasing the wingspan.

Tarom’s fleet includes 26 aircrafts, namely, three Boeing 737-800, four Boeing 737-700, four Boeing 737-300, four Airbus A318-111, two Airbus A310-325, seven ATR 42-500 and two ATR 72-500.